Search Results (824)

Background: Parasitic skin-related conditions represent a frequent and evolving challenge in human dermatology, as they often mimic other dermatoses, and are increasingly complicated by therapeutic resistance. With this study, we aimed to provide a practical, clinician-oriented overview of our experience, contextualising it within the current literature. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-centre observational study, reporting a case series of 88 patients diagnosed with parasitic or arthropod-related skin infestations at the San Raffaele Hospital Dermatology Unit (Milan) between 2019 and 2024, and integrated a concise narrative review of contemporary evidence on diagnosis, non-invasive imaging and management. For each case, we documented clinical presentation, dermoscopic or reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) findings, and treatment response. Non-invasive tools (dermoscopy, videodermoscopy, RCM) were used when appropriate. Results: The spectrum of conditions included flea bites, bed bug bites, cutaneous larva migrans, subcutaneous dirofilariasis, Dermanyssus gallinae dermatitis, pediculosis, tick bites (including Lyme disease), myiasis, scabies, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. One case of eosinophilic dermatosis of haematologic malignancy was also considered due to its possible association with arthropod bites. Non-invasive imaging was critical in confirming suspected infestations, particularly in ambiguous cases or when invasive testing was not feasible. Several cases highlighted suspected therapeutic resistance: a paediatric pediculosis and three adult scabies cases required systemic therapy after standard regimens failed, raising concerns over putative resistance to permethrin and pyrethroids. In dirofilariasis, the persistence of filarial elements visualised by RCM justified the extension of antiparasitic therapy despite prior surgical removal. Conclusions: Our findings underline that accurate diagnosis, early intervention, and tailored treatment remain essential for the effective management of cutaneous infestations. The observed vast spectrum of isolated parasites reflects broader health and ecological dynamics, including zoonotic transmission, international mobility, and changing environmental conditions. At the same time, diagnostic delays, inappropriate treatments, and neglected parasitic diseases continue to pose significant risks. To address these challenges, clinicians should remain alert to atypical presentations, and consider a multidisciplinary approach including the consultation with parasitologists and veterinarians, as well as the incorporation of high-resolution imaging and alternative therapeutic strategies into their routine practice. Full article

Soil contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a growing environmental concern, particularly in agricultural regions where soil quality directly affects crop safety and human health. This study evaluates PTE concentrations and ecological risks in agricultural soils of Hautat Sudair, central Saudi Arabia, using contamination indices, multivariate statistics, and GIS-based spatial modeling supported by RS-derived land use/land cover (LULC) mapping. The results show that the mean concentrations of Ni (35.97 mg/kg) and Mn (1230 mg/kg) exceed international thresholds in several locations, while Pb (8.34 mg/kg), Cr (33.00 mg/kg), Zn (60.09 mg/kg), and As (4.25 mg/kg) remain within permissible limits in most samples. Contamination indices, including the Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), and Geo-Accumulation Index (Igeo), highlight hotspot behavior, with isolated sites showing elevated concentrations approaching screening levels (e.g., Pb up to 32.0 mg/kg and Cr up to 52.0 mg/kg), whereas Ni and Mn exhibit the most pronounced local enrichment. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) varies from 0.24 to 0.80, indicating low to moderate contamination levels, while the Risk Index (RI) ranges from 10.43 to 41.38, signifying low ecological risk. Multivariate statistical analyses, including correlation matrices and principal component analysis (PCA), reveal that Ni, Cr, and Mn share a common source, possibly linked to anthropogenic inputs and natural geological background. Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s test confirm the adequacy of the dataset for PCA (KMO = 0.797; χ² = 563.845, p < 0.001). Spatial distribution maps generated using GIS and RS highlight contamination hotspots, reinforcing the necessity for periodic monitoring. By integrating indices, multivariate patterns, and spatial context, this study provides a replicable, research-driven framework for interpreting PTE controls in arid agricultural soils. Full article

Soil heavy metal contamination poses significant risks to ecological safety and human health, particularly in rapidly industrializing cities. Effectively identifying pollution sources is crucial for risk management and remediation. GIS coupled with data mining techniques, provide a powerful tool for quantifying and visualizing these sources. This study investigates the concentration, spatial distribution, and sources of heavy metals in urban soils of Bengbu City, an industrial and transportation hub in eastern China. A total of 139 surface soil samples from the urban core were analyzed for nine heavy metals. Using integrated GIS and PCA-APCS-MLR data mining techniques, we systematically determined their contamination characteristics and apportioned sources. The results identified widespread Hg enrichment, with concentrations exceeding background levels at all sampling sites, and a Cd exceedance rate of 28.06%, leading to a moderate ecological risk level overall. Spatial patterns revealed significant heterogeneity. Quantitative source apportionment identified four primary sources: industrial source (37.1%), which was the dominant origin of Cr, Cu, and Ni, primarily associated with precision manufacturing and metallurgical activities; mixed source (26.7%) governing the distribution of Mn, As, and Hg, mainly from coal combustion and the natural geological background; traffic source (22.3%) significantly contributing to Pb and Zn; and a specific cadmium source (13.9%) potentially originating from non-ferrous metal smelting, electroplating, and agricultural activities. These findings provide a critical scientific basis for targeted pollution control and sustainable land-use management in analogous industrial cities. Full article

Urban rivers are essential resources for human societies; however, their degradation poses serious public health, economic, and environmental risks. Conventional physical remediation methods can partially mitigate pollution by targeting specific contaminants, but they are often limited in scope, lack long-term sustainability, and fail to restore ecological functions. In contrast, biotechnological approaches integrated with ecological engineering offer sustainable and nature-based solutions for river depollution, conservation, and revitalization. Although these strategies are supported by a solid theoretical framework and successful applications in other aquatic systems, their large-scale implementation in urban rivers has only recently begun to gain momentum. This review critically examines strategies for the revitalization of polluted urban rivers, progressing from conventional remediation techniques to advanced biotechnological interventions. It highlights real-world applications, evaluates their advantages and limitations, and discusses policy frameworks and management strategies required to promote the broader adoption of biotechnological solutions for sustainable urban river restoration. The goal is to demonstrate the transformative potential of integrated biotechnological, eco-engineering, and data-driven approaches—particularly microbial, phytoplankton-based, and biofilm systems—to reduce energy demand and carbon emissions in urban river restoration while highlighting the need for scalable designs, adaptive management, and supportive regulatory frameworks to enable their large-scale implementation. Full article

Commercial smooth-hound sharks of the genus Mustelus are commonly landed and consumed in Mediterranean fisheries, raising concerns about potential human exposure to persistent contaminants. This study investigated the occurrence of organochlorine compounds (OCs), including hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), together with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in muscle and liver tissues of Mustelus mustelus and Mustelus punctulatus collected in the waters of the Egadi Archipelago (central Mediterranean Sea). OCs were detected in all analyzed samples, with total PCB concentrations reaching higher values in liver compared to muscle tissues, reflecting tissue-specific accumulation and detoxification processes. PFAS were detected in all analyzed muscle samples (1.10–58.5 ng/g w.w.), with PFOS, PFOA and PFNA generally below current European regulatory thresholds, although isolated exceedances were observed. Stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) highlighted differences in trophic ecology between the two species and suggested that feeding habitat and trophic position may influence contaminant exposure patterns, particularly in M. punctulatus. The human health risk assessment, conducted as a screening-level evaluation, indicated potential concern associated with PCB concentrations in liver tissue, while risks associated with muscle consumption were generally lower. Overall, the integration of contaminant analysis and stable isotopes provides insights into organismal exposure pathways and supports the use of smooth-hound sharks as sentinels of contaminant presence in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. Full article

Aquatic environments have been a critical source of nutrition for millennia, with wild fisheries supplying protein and nutrients to populations worldwide. A notable shift has occurred in recent decades with the expansion of aquaculture, now representing a fast-growing sector in food production. Aquaculture plays a key role in mitigating the depletion of wild fish stocks and addressing issues related to overfishing. Despite its potential benefits, the sustainability of both wild and farmed aquatic food systems is challenged by anthropogenic pollution. Contaminants from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and domestic effluents enter freshwater systems and eventually reach marine environments, where they may be transported globally through ocean currents. Maintaining water quality is paramount to food safety, environmental integrity, and long-term food security. In addition to conventional seafood products such as fish and shellfish, foods such as those derived from microalgae are gaining attention in Western markets for their high nutritional value and potential functional properties. These organisms have been consumed in Asia for generations and are now being explored as sustainable foods and ingredients as an alternative source of protein. Contaminants in aquatic food products include residues of agrochemicals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), as well as brominated flame retardants and heavy metals. Public and scientific attention has intensified around plastic pollution, particularly microplastics and nanoplastics, which are increasingly detected in aquatic organisms and are the subject of ongoing toxicological and ecological risk assessments. While the presence of these hazards necessitates robust risk assessment and regulatory oversight, it is important to balance these concerns against the health benefits of aquatic foods, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins, vitamins, and trace elements. Furthermore, beyond direct human health implications, the environmental impact of pollutant sources must be addressed through integrated management approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the food systems they support. This review covers regulatory frameworks, risk assessments, and management issues relating to aquatic environments, including the impact of climate change. It aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, food businesses who harvest food from aquatic systems and other stakeholders. Full article

The loss of urban nature and declining biodiversity pose significant challenges to the sustainability of cities and the well-being of their inhabitants. Existing initiatives such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) have begun to address ecological risks in real estate, but they still address mental health, biodiversity, and social equity only partially as non-financial values. This article adopts an integrative review and conceptual framework approach. It develops a nature-based accounting framework for urban real estate that combines principles of traditional Chinese architecture with contemporary sustainability metrics. The study reviews ecological theory, nature-related accounting, and evidence on biodiversity and mental health, and then undertakes an operational mapping from classical site planning, courtyard design, water management, and community structures to measurable indicators that remain compatible with TNFD-aligned reporting. The framework groups indicators into three main domains: nature-related conditions, ecosystem service pathways, and human well-being outcomes. It also outlines simple procedures for normalising and combining these indicators at the project scale to support assessments of biodiversity, microclimate, mental health, and basic aspects of cost-effectiveness and social accessibility in urban real estate projects. The paper provides a structured, heritage-informed basis for future applications and empirical testing, helping to incorporate biodiversity, mental health, and equity into urban real estate assessment. Full article

Microplastics (MPs)—synthetic polymer particles less than 5 mm in size—have emerged as ubiquitous contaminants in terrestrial and aquatic environments worldwide, raising concerns about their ecological and human health impacts. While research has predominantly focused on urban and marine settings, evidence shows that rural ecosystems are also affected, challenging assumptions of pristine conditions outside cities and coasts. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the presence, pathways, and impacts of MPs in rural environments, highlighting complex contamination dynamics driven by both local sources (agricultural plastics, domestic waste, rural wastewater, and road runoff) and regional processes (atmospheric deposition, hydrological transport, and sediment transfer). Key findings highlight that rural lakes, streams, soils, and groundwater systems are active sinks and secondary sources of diverse MPs, predominantly polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in fibrous and fragmented forms. These particles vary in size, density, and color, influencing their transport, persistence, and bioavailability. Ecological effects include bioaccumulation in freshwater species, soil degradation, and potential food chain transfer, while human exposure risks stem from contaminated groundwater, air, and locally produced food. Despite these growing threats, rural systems remain underrepresented in monitoring and policy frameworks. The article calls for context-specific mitigation strategies, enhanced wastewater treatment, rural waste management reforms, and integrated microplastics surveillance across environmental compartments. Full article

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrate groups globally, with over 40% of species at risk of extinction. However, a gap remains in understanding how to effectively develop and implement amphibian conservation strategies at local and global scales to minimize extinction risk. This review synthesizes multidisciplinary evidence to frame amphibian conservation as a priority not only for species preservation but for safeguarding ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Drawing on ecological, physiological, biomedical, and technological literature, we highlight the foundational roles amphibians play in various biomes: regulating invertebrate populations, mediating nutrient and energy flows, modifying physical habitats, and supporting biodiversity through trophic interactions. Their dual aquatic–terrestrial life cycles and highly permeable skin make them highly sensitive to environmental change, positioning them as bioindicators for ecosystem health. We further explore emerging tools and concepts such as environmental metabolomics, remote sensing, and citizen science for monitoring population trends and environmental stressors. Additionally, we discuss conservation challenges in relation to land-use change, climate disruption, invasive species, emerging diseases, and institutional underinvestment. We argue for the recognition of amphibians as ecological allies and the increased integration of amphibian conservation into broader frameworks such as ecosystem service valuation, climate resilience planning, and public health policy improvement. Finally, we identify key research gaps and suggest future directions to remedy these oversights, including the incorporation of traditional knowledge, socio-cultural engagement, and technological innovations for sustainable amphibian conservation. Realizing this vision will require globally coordinated, locally grounded strategies that fuse scientific insight, inclusive governance, and long-term investment—ensuring that amphibian conservation advances ecosystem stability and benefits both nature and society. Full article

A major factor in worldwide ecological harm is the large quantity of municipal solid waste generated because of rapid industrialization and population growth. Nowadays, there are numerous mechanical, biological, and thermal waste treatment processes that can reduce the amount of landfilled waste. A variety of analytical tests are conducted to evaluate the potential risks that landfills pose to human health and the environment. Among these, laboratory leaching tests are commonly employed to assess the release of specific waste constituents that may become hazardous to the environment. Municipal solid waste (MSW) management poses significant environmental risks due to leachate contamination in bioreactor landfills, where acidic conditions (pH ≈ 5) can mobilize heavy metals. This study evaluates the reliability of leaching tests for biodried reject MSW from CWMC Marišćina, Croatia, by comparing standard EN 12457-1 and EN 12457-2 methods (L/S = 2 and 10 L/kg) with simulations of aerobic degradation using acetic acid (10 g/L) to maintain pH = 5 over 9 days. Waste composition analysis revealed plastics (35%), paper/cardboard (25%), metals (15%), and glass (10%) as dominant fractions. Although the majority of parameters determined through standard leaching tests remain below the maximum permissible limits for non-hazardous waste, simulations under acidic conditions demonstrated substantial increases in eluate concentrations between days 6 and 9: Hg (+1500%), As (+1322%), Pb (+1330%), Ni (+786%), and Cd (+267%), with TDS rising 33%. These results highlight the underestimation of risks by conventional tests, emphasizing the need for pH-dependent methods to predict in situ leachate behavior in MBO-treated waste and support improved EU landfill regulations for enhanced environmental protection. Full article

Widespread antibiotic residues in aquatic environments pose escalating threats to ecological stability and human health, highlighting the urgent demand for effective remediation strategies. In recent years, photocatalytic technology based on advanced nanomaterials has emerged as a sustainable and efficient strategy for antibiotic degradation, enabling the effective utilization of solar energy for environmental remediation. This review provides an in-depth discussion of six representative categories of photocatalytic nanomaterials that have demonstrated remarkable performance in antibiotic degradation, including metal oxide-based systems with defect engineering and hollow architectures, bismuth-based semiconductors with narrow band gaps and heterojunction designs, silver-based plasmonic composites with enhanced light harvesting, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) featuring tunable porosity and hybrid interfaces, carbon-based materials such as g-C₃N₄ and biochar that facilitate charge transfer and adsorption, and emerging MXene–semiconductor hybrids exhibiting exceptional conductivity and interfacial activity. The photocatalytic performance of these nanomaterials is compared in terms of degradation efficiency, recyclability, and visible-light response to evaluate their suitability for antibiotic degradation. Beyond parent compound removal, we emphasize transformation products, mineralization, and post-treatment toxicity evolution as critical metrics for assessing true detoxification and environmental risk. In addition, the incorporation of artificial intelligence into photocatalyst design, mechanistic modeling, and process optimization is highlighted as a promising direction for accelerating material innovation and advancing toward scalable, safe, and sustainable photocatalytic applications. Full article

Vector-borne infections are a growing public health concern in Romania, influenced by ecological diversity, climate change, and socioeconomic factors. West Nile virus, tick-borne encephalitis, and Lyme borreliosis represent the most significant threats, with additional risks posed by emerging pathogens, such as leishmaniasis, and the potential reintroduction of malaria. While surveillance systems exist for human cases and, to a lesser extent, vectors, these remain fragmented, underfunded, and limited in their integration across human, veterinary, and environmental health domains. By highlighting both gaps and opportunities, this review provides a forward-looking perspective on strengthening Romania’s capacity to anticipate and manage vector-borne disease threats. Transitioning from reactive surveillance to proactive, prediction-driven strategies will be critical to safeguarding public health in the context of accelerating environmental change. Full article

This study evaluated the ecological and health risks associated with metals in Peruvian avocado cultivation from a One Health perspective. Between January and September 2025, a total of 190 soil and fruit samples were collected from major producing regions (Amazonas, Áncash, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Ica, La Libertad, and Lima) to quantify arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). Results showed regional variability in soil metal concentrations, with higher As (76.17 ± 17.35 mg/kg), Cd (0.55 ± 1.04 mg/kg), and Pb (25.35 ± 6.02 mg/kg). Cr concentrations in avocados were below the detection limit (<0.003 mg/kg), while As (<0.003–0.192 mg/kg), Cd (<0.005–0.130 mg/kg), Hg (<0.005–0.428 mg/kg), Ni (<0.005–0.172 mg/kg), and Pb (<0.005–0.396 mg/kg) exhibited broader concentration ranges. Bioaccumulation (BAF) values < 1 confirmed low translocation. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and ecological risk (ER) indicated uncontaminated or moderately contaminated soils with low ecological risk. In terms of health risk, the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were <1, representing a low level of concern for non-genotoxic effects. The cancer risk (CR) values for both metals ranged from 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻⁵, indicating a non-significant carcinogenic risk for Pb (<10⁻⁶) and an acceptable risk for Cd (10⁻⁴). Full article

Background: Climate change is increasingly altering the distribution and burden of infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, where ecological diversity, fragile health systems, and widespread poverty heighten vulnerability. The One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health, provides a useful framework for addressing these climate-sensitive health challenges; its application in the region remains limited. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines and synthesized evidence from 30 peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2025, identified through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Results: Studies consistently showed that rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events shifted malaria transmission into highland zones, modified schistosomiasis risk through changes in snail habitats, and drove diarrheal outbreaks following flooding. While One Health initiatives such as Ghana’s Climate-Smart One Health framework and university-led programmes in East Africa demonstrated promise, their impact remained constrained by donor dependence, institutional silos, and limited policy integration. Conclusions: To enhance climate resilience, national strategies need to integrate climate-informed surveillance, predictive modelling, and One Health governance. Future research should extend beyond malaria and schistosomiasis, incorporate longitudinal data, and establish standardized metrics for assessing One Health interventions. Full article

The development of China’s manganese (Mn) industries has caused severe water and soil pollution, threatening ecological and human health. Microbes are usually regarded as an important indicator of environmental pollution assessment. However, the current understanding of microbial community characteristics and their formation mechanisms in Mn production areas remains limited. In order to address this, soil properties and microbial structural characteristics across different functional zones in a typical Mn electrolysis plant in China’s “Manganese Triangle” were investigated via metagenomic sequencing. Results showed soil Mn levels significantly exceeded background values, indicating high environmental risk. Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria were dominant phyla. Microbial abundance was lowest in the adjacent natural reservoir, whereas diversity was highest in the sewage treatment plant. Correlation analyses identified Mn, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, pH, and moisture as key environmental drivers, with Mn being the primary one. Metagenomic analysis revealed abundant Mn resistance genes, enabling microbial survival under high Mn stress. This study demonstrated that excessive Mn exposure enriched Mn-resistant genes, thereby shaping unique microbial communities dominated by Mn-resistant bacteria. These findings clarified the structural characteristics and adaptive mechanisms of soil microbial communities in Mn-contaminated areas, providing a theoretical basis for ecological risk management and bioremediation. Full article