1,721,324 research outputs found
Short Historical Review of Contaminant Transfer Between Soil-Atmosphere Interface. Atmosphere Quality in the Porto Marghera (Venice Municipality, Italy) Industrial Area
No full textHeavy metal and PAH soil pollution delivered by atmospheric depositions were monitored for 3 months near the Porto Marghera (Venice Municipality, Italy) industrial area (close to Venice City, northern Italy). The purpose was to develop a quick-exploratory testing protocol in order to preliminary assess the magnitude of pollution due to atmospheric depositions in view of further deeper monitoring campaigns. We did not distinguished between dry and wet atmospheric depositions and collected them altogether, so that all samples contained both. After sample filtration, the residues left on the filter were dissolved by acidic attack while the filtrates were aqueous phases. Both fractions were analyzed separately, but metals were analyzed in the aqueous phase only. Results were compared with literature data on compost. The contribution of atmospheric deposition to the overall soil pollution resulted to be negligible with respect to that of compost normally administered as a "safe" fertilizer. Large data variability, which mainly depended on meteoric conditions and emission typology, did not impair such conclusion. Amongst PAH, high molecular weight PAH was abundant. Fluoranthene and phenanthrene presence dominates in almost all stations. Phenanthrene, anthracene, and fluoranthene were the PAH most frequently and most abundantly detected. Among metals, Mn and especially Pb were present. Mn presence was relatively high in some samples coming from the Mestre area, while in the Porto Marghera industrial area, Pb presented very high values
Short Historical Review of Contribution of a Major River Basin to Adriatic Sea Eutrophication and Heavy Metal Micropollution: the Brenta-Bacchiglione Watershed
No full textDespite the very oligotrophic conditions of Adriatic Sea, coastal eutrophication periodically takes place. In order to quantify some of the pollutants responsible for this phenomenon, our research (granted by "Autorità di Bacino" within the EURIOS UNO project in the year 2000) aimed to evaluate the total amount of some selected nutrients and of the eutrophication-related microstimulants discharged by the Brenta, the Bacchiglione, and the Gorzone Rivers into the Adriatic Sea. The corresponding watershed collects the pollution produced by one of the most populated region of Italy consisting of urban, industrial, and agricultural areas surrounding the northern border of the Adriatic Sea. Accordingly, a new approach was chosen. The three aforementioned rivers were sampled seasonally, along a transect perpendicular to their water flow and located close to their mouth. A continuous sampling took place during a specific week and it was performed by an on-line radio-operating device. The analysed parameters were chosen among a wide array of chemicals. Chemical-physical parameters and nutrients were analysed daily. Simultaneous river flow and velocity measurements allowed to calculate pollutant loads. Results showed that the Brenta and the Gorzone Rivers were the major responsible for the organic and inorganic pollutant loading. However, although the Bacchiglione displays lower contaminant loading, this last one was not negligible
Short historical review of metal speciation and distribution of five selected metals in Adriatic Sea sediments
No full textIn-vitro activity of macrolides alone and in combination with artemisin, atovaquone, dapsone, minocycline or pyrimethamine against Cryptosporidium parvum.
No full textThe anticryptosporidial activity of four macrolides alone and in combination with other antimicrobial agents was investigated against ten clinical isolates of Cryptosporidium parvum recovered from stools of AIDS patients. The susceptibility tests were performed by inoculation of the protozoa on to cell monolayers and determining the parasite count after 72 h incubation at 37 degrees C. The culture medium was supplemented with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing serial dilutions of azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, spiramycin, alone or in combination with artemisin, atovaquone, dapsone, minocycline or pyrimethamine. Most of the agents had an inhibitory effect on parasite growth, but only at high concentrations. No agent was able to inhibit parasite growth completely, even at the highest concentrations used. The more effective agents, azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, minocycline and pyrimethamine, produced no more than a 13.1-27.8% reduction in oocyst count and no more than a 15.1-35.7% in schizont count. Positive interaction was clearly demonstrated when macrolides were tested in combination with minocycline or pyrimethamine
In-vitro activity of atovaquone, sulphamethoxazole and dapsone alone and combined with inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase and macrolides against Pneumocystis carinii.
No full textThe anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity of atovaquone, dapsone and sulphamethoxazole alone and combined with dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors and macrolides was investigated against five clinical isolates of P. carinii. The susceptibility tests were performed by inoculation of the organisms on to cell monolayer and parasite count after 72 h incubation at 37 degrees C. Culture plates were added to Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing serial dilutions of atovaquone, dapsone and sulphamethoxazole alone or in combination with diaveridine, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim, azithromycin, clarithromycin and roxithromycin. Atovaquone, dapsone and sulphamethoxazole were found to be effective at levels well below the concentrations that could be achieved clinically, while DHFR inhibitors were shown to combine effectively with dapsone and sulphamethoxazole. No synergy could be demonstrated between atovaquone and DHFR inhibitors or macrolides. A mild synergic effect was noted when macrolides were combined with dapsone and sulphamethoxazole. Pyrimethamine (0.5 mg/L) combined with dapsone and trimethoprim (0.5 mg/L) combined with sulphamethoxazole exerted the strongest inhibitory effect
Vitoria Bay Pollution Study in the Frame of Tagubar Research Project - Preliminary Biosystemic Approach
No full textVitoria is the capital of the Esprito Santo State, located in the eastern part of Brazil. It is surrounded by the Canal da Passagem, the Vitoria Bay, and the Bay of Espirito Santo. Phytoplankton community of this estuarine system was analyzed at 16 uniformly distributed sampling points where phytoplankton, most abundant species, qualitative composition, numerically representative species, total phytoplankton density, specific diversity, quantitative composition, equitability, chlorophyll a, and pheophytin were determined. 96 taxa were identified while Species Diversity indices (Shannon-Weaver index) and Equitability index were calculated. Biological marker values indicate that there is no particular pollution condition able to alter the condition of any part of this water body. However, the Authors conclude that the Vitoria Bay and the Canal da Passagem are moderately polluted and some stressing agents are active in the central part of Vitoria Bay
Contaminant Transfer Between Soil-Atmosphere Interface. Atmosphere Quality in a Low Polluted Area of North-East Italy
No full textHeavy metal and PAH soil pollution delivered by atmospheric depositions were monitored for 12 months within an industrial area located between the towns of Possagno and Castelcucco (both close to Treviso City, northern Italy). We did not distinguished between dry and wet atmospheric depositions and collected them altogether, so that all samples contained both. After sample filtration, residues left on the filter were made of particulate and dissolved by acidic attack while the filtrates were aqueous phases. Both fractions were analyzed separately, but metals were analyzed in the aqueous phase only. Results were compared with literature data on compost. Atmospheric deposition contribution to the overall soil pollution resulted to be negligible with respect to that of compost normally administered as a "safe" fertilizer. Large data variability occurring when dealing with either atmospheric kinds of depositions (which mainly depends on meteoric conditions and emission typology) did not impair such conclusion. Amongst PAH, fluoranthene confirms to be the most abundant in either fractions, almost always followed by phenanthrene and anthracene. PAH detected in the particulate fractions were not originated by house heating but by road traffic. Among metals, Zn2+ dominates in the Possagno industrial area, while Pb presence was low and might have come from road traffic. Overall dustfall contamination was low, even if PAH presence can be underestimated when the road traffic contribution is not taken into account. No correlation seems to exist between industrial activity and the large majority of the air quality parameters monitored by us. Copyright © EM International
In- vitro activity of terbinafine, atovaquone and co-trimoxazole against Pneumocystis carinii.
No full textIn-vitro activity of topoisomerase inhibitors against Pneumocystis carinii.
No full textThe activity of eight topoisomerase inhibitors was investigated against five clinical isolates of Pneumocystis carinii. Susceptibility tests were performed by inoculation of the organisms on to a cell monolayer and parasites were counted after 72 h incubation at 37 degrees C. Culture plates were added with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing serial dilutions of lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, rufloxacin, camptothecin, amsacrine and etoposide. Atovaquone, pentamide isethionate and co-trimoxazole were used as control drugs. Etoposide gave inhibition comparable to that observed with atovaquone. Poor activity was demonstrated by pefloxacin, while the other topoisomerase inhibitors had no significant effect
Large Hg pollution of surface waters and sediments due to a chloro-soda industrial plant located in the northeast of Italy
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