Search Results (35)

The buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt) is a validated, non-invasive biomonitoring method used to detect early genotoxic and cytotoxic changes linked to environmental and occupational exposures. Healthcare workers, especially nurses and dentists, are routinely exposed to genotoxic agents such as anesthetic gases, cytotoxic drugs, ionizing radiation, and heavy metals. This study compared seven cytological biomarkers in exfoliated buccal cells from female nurses, dentists, and teachers to assess multivariate cytogenetic differences and potential occupational influences. Samples were collected from 32 nurses, 41 dentists, and 47 teachers, and 3000 cells per participant were evaluated for micronuclei (MN) and six additional nuclear abnormalities. Group differences were examined using MANOVA and permutation MANOVA, followed by pairwise tests, and visualized with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Significant multivariate differences were found between nurses and both dentists and teachers (p = 0.003), supported by permutation tests, while dentists and teachers did not differ. PCA explained 56% of the variance and showed apparent clustering of nurses. Chromatin condensation and MN were the main contributors to group separation. Nurses had significantly higher MN (p ≤ 0.001) and karyorrhexis (p ≤ 0.0004) than dentist and teachers. Overall, nurses showed a distinct cytogenetic profile consistent with greater genotoxic susceptibility. Full article

In this study, for the first time urinary NMR-based metabolomics was applied to investigate the physiological alterations associated with occupational exposure in ceramic manufacturing workers. Multivariate analysis revealed a distinctive metabolic signature with exposure, characterized by a depletion of both aliphatic and aromatic amino acids and a concomitant accumulation of branched-chain amino acid catabolites. Alterations in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, including citrate and succinate, suggest an involvement of mitochondrial energy metabolism, reflecting adaptive responses to oxidative stress and increased protein turnover. Notably, glycine levels were found increased, consistent with its central role in antioxidant defense and xenobiotic detoxification. Furthermore, changes in urinary host–microbiome co-metabolites, such as 4-hydroxyphenylacetate and phenylacetylglycine, indicate the potential modulation of gut microbial activity in response to occupational exposure. While limited by the small cohort, this study demonstrates the feasibility of NMR-based urinary metabolomics for the non-invasive biomonitoring of workers and suggests its potential as a useful tool for detecting subtle metabolic perturbations associated with complex occupational exposures. Full article

Understanding the behavioral strategies that allow freshwater mussels to persist under environmental stress is essential for their conservation, yet burrowing behavior remains poorly quantified. We tested whether valve movement data could be used to detect and characterize burrowing in the endangered Westralunio carteri; a species endemic to a region undergoing severe climatic drying. Mussels from multiple populations were monitored individually under laboratory conditions using Hall effect sensors, and valve movement patterns were analyzed to distinguish between burrowing and non-burrowing behaviors. Burrowing was associated with rapid, high-amplitude valve movements that lengthened as burial progressed, while non-burrowing behaviors showed distinct, slower patterns. These differences indicate that valvometry can reliably identify burrowing behavior, providing a non-invasive method for monitoring mussel activity. This approach has broad applications for ecological research, conservation assessment, and early-warning biomonitoring of imperiled freshwater mussel populations. Full article

Background: Urban air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), poses health risks, including damage to the ocular surface. This pilot study (BIKE-EYE) aimed to assess ocular exposure to airborne pollutants during bicycle commuting and to evaluate particle presence in human tear fluid. Methods: Fifteen healthy volunteers wore portable sensors measuring PM2.5 and PM10 during daily bike commutes over six months. Exposure was calculated as time-weighted integrals over the ten days preceding an ophthalmologic exam assessing conjunctival hyperemia, epithelial damage, tear film quality, and meibomian gland function. Ocular symptoms were assessed via the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Tear samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Results: Higher pollutant exposure was significantly associated with conjunctival hyperemia and corneal epithelial damage, while temperature and humidity showed no effect. OSDI scores moderately correlated with PM levels. SEM/EDS analysis confirmed airborne particles in post-exposure tear samples, including carbonaceous material, aluminosilicates, iron, and sulfur compounds. Conclusions: Ocular surface alterations and conjunctival hyperemia were significantly associated with air pollution exposure, while subjective symptoms showed weaker trends. The detection of particulate matter in human tear fluid supports the use of the ocular surface as a sensitive, non-invasive tool for biomonitoring. These findings highlight its potential role in early warning systems for pollution-related health effects, with implications for public health surveillance and urban planning. Full article

Freshwater ecosystems are undergoing rapid species loss due to climate change and human impact. In this context, biomonitoring has become essential for species censusing and biodiversity conservation. In recent years, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a powerful, non-invasive alternative to traditional sampling and morphological identification methods. This study is the first to apply eDNA analysis to the characterization of invertebrate communities in the Oreto River, Sicily (Italy). Water samples were collected at three points of the river (upstream, midstream, downstream), and eDNA was extracted for metabarcoding. Overall, the analysis identified 40 species belonging to different phyla, including Annelida, Arthropoda, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Porifera and Rotifera. Twelve species appear to be newly recorded in Sicily, including confirmed identifications (Simulium trifasciatum, Rotaria rotatoria, Euchlanis dilatata, Lecane clostero-cerca) and other potential new identifications (Microchironomus tener, Micropsectra pallidula, Tinodes dives, Philodina flaviceps, Buchholzia appendiculata, Lecane bulla, Drosophila incompta, Corynoneura coronata). The study also confirmed the presence of alien species (Physella acuta, Craspedacusta sowerbii). Furthermore, species composition varied among the three sampling points, with most taxa detected in the upstream section. These results provide a preliminary snapshot of the biodiversity of river invertebrates, highlighting the potential of eDNA to complement traditional methods. Full article

Phthalates, particularly di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), are persistent plasticizers that pose serious ecological risks to aquatic environments. This study evaluated the phytotoxic effects of DBP on the aquatic fern Azolla pinnata through morphological, biochemical, and photosynthetic responses. Plants were exposed to graded DBP concentrations (0–10 mg/L) for 4 and 8 days. Increasing DBP levels caused visible symptoms including frond chlorosis, necrosis, and root inhibition. Biochemically, total chlorophyll content declined by up to 95%, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased by approximately 300% at 10 mg/L, confirming severe lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant enzymes showed biphasic trends: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities rose under moderate stress but declined by ~73% and ~78%, respectively, at the highest concentration, indicating oxidative enzyme suppression. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis revealed strong, dose-dependent inhibition of photosystem II efficiency, characterized by reduced performance indices (PIabs, PIcs) and quantum yields (фPo, фEo), alongside increased фDo and Fo/Fm, indicating enhanced energy dissipation and photoinhibition. Overall, DBP exposure disrupted oxidative balance and PSII function in A. pinnata, demonstrating its high sensitivity to phthalate toxicity and validating chlorophyll fluorescence as a rapid, non-invasive biomonitoring tool for assessing aquatic pollutant stress. Full article

Freshwater ecosystems are rapidly losing biodiversity due to anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Considering that many species remain unknown, these systems represent an invaluable reservoir of biodiversity. For this reason, a prompt biodiversity census becomes essential. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has the potential to provide a faster and non-invasive alternative to traditional methods for biodiversity monitoring, conservation, and management. This study used eDNA to provide a preliminary snapshot of vertebrates in two Sicilian lakes: Lake Rosamarina and Lake Garcia. eDNA analyses identified four classes of vertebrates, 14 orders, and 16 families, with notable taxonomic differences between the two lakes. The analysis revealed the presence of several non-native and potentially invasive species, including fish (Cyprinus carpio, Micropterus salmoides, Perca fluviatilis, Carassius auratus, and Ameiurus melas), as well as the amphibian Xenopus laevis and the terrestrial mammal Myocastor coypus. The presence of these species, known for their ecological impact on native communities, highlights the potential of eDNA analysis as a powerful tool for the early detection and preventive biomonitoring of biological invasions. These results provide an initial assessment of vertebrate biodiversity in these sites, demonstrating how eDNA can serve as an effective method for biodiversity evaluation and monitoring. Full article

The longevity, site fidelity, and trophic position of freshwater turtles have led to their increasing recognition as useful bioindicators of environmental contamination. Mauremys leprosa (n = 25) shells from a Northern African wetland system were examined for trace element concentrations in order to assess shell composition as a non-invasive biomonitoring method. Micro x-ray fluorescence (μXRF) method was used to measure the shell concentrations of 17 elements, including Ca, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, Sr, Pb, Sb, and Al. As would be expected from the structural composition of bony tissues, calcium and phosphorus were the predominant constituents. In addition to bulk concentrations, micro-XRF elemental mapping revealed heterogeneous spatial distributions of essential and toxic elements within the shells, providing visual evidence of bioaccumulation patterns and supporting the use of shells as non-invasive bioindicators. There were statistically significant sex-related differences in the levels of trace elements, with males exhibiting higher concentrations of Mg, Mn, Sb, Pb, and Al (p < 0.05). Spearman correlations revealed strong associations between certain shell elements (e.g., Fe, Mn, Ti, Zn) and morphometric parameters. Comparisons with environmental samples (water and sediment) showed moderate to strong correlations, particularly with sediment metal concentrations, supporting the utility of shell chemistry as an integrative exposure matrix. Nonetheless, there were significant percentages of censored or missing values for certain metals (Cu, Ni, and As). This study emphasizes how viable turtle shells are as non-lethal markers of bioaccumulation and stresses how crucial it is to take environmental matrices, element-specific variability, and sex into account when assessing contamination. Longitudinal monitoring, physiological biomarkers, and isotopic analysis should all be used in future studies to bolster the causal relationships between environmental exposure and turtle health. Full article

Environmental exposures throughout the life of the subjects (exposome) could have a negative effect on their health outcomes. From this perspective, analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human exhaled breath is emerging as a non-invasive tool to identify and check exposure to harmful agents. Breath analysis is also a helpful technique for human metabolism assessment, which allows for examining the impact of environmental exposures on organisms (biomonitoring). In this paper, a comprehensive review has been carried out to assess the use of breath analysis by mass spectrometry-based technologies for monitoring environmental exposures. Records of the last 20 years from three databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) have been evaluated independently by two reviewers. A total of 38 studies fulfilled the criteria for eligibility. It has been compiled information about environmental exposures that have been monitored by breath analysis using mass spectrometry-based analytical platforms, as well as the most commonly used protocols of breath sampling, analytical techniques, and statistical methods. In addition, special emphasis has been placed on the huge range of VOCs selected as potential markers of environmental exposures. Despite the potential of breath analysis for monitoring human exposure, further research is needed to identify useful markers to establish it as a routine tool. Full article

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has transformed marine biodiversity monitoring by allowing non-invasive, cost-effective detection of species with high resolution across diverse marine habitats. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Qatar University Library databases. Relevant peer-reviewed publications were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion criteria to ensure comprehensive coverage of studies. This review synthesizes advances in global and regional eDNA applications, emphasizing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which faces unique environmental extremes, high endemism, and significant data gaps. eDNA metabarcoding often outperforms traditional methods under comparable sampling effort to traditional surveys in detecting rare, cryptic, and invasive taxa, but technical challenges like incomplete reference databases, primer biases, PCR inhibitors, and inconsistent methodologies limit their effectiveness, particularly in understudied areas such as MENA. Recent developments, including multi-marker approaches, autonomous samplers, and next-generation sequencing, are enhancing detection precision and enabling broader, real-time monitoring. In the MENA region, early studies have revealed eDNA’s potential for habitat distinction, biogeographic research, pollution assessment, and the early discovery of non-indigenous species, although progress is hindered by gaps in reference libraries, infrastructure, and regulation. This review underscores the urgent need for regional collaboration, standardized protocols, and capacity-building. By integrating eDNA with traditional methods and leveraging emerging technologies, the MENA region can establish itself as a leader in marine biomonitoring under extreme environmental conditions, providing actionable insights for conservation and sustainable management of its unique marine ecosystems. Full article

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection has emerged as a powerful, non-invasive tool for identifying aquatic organisms, particularly those that are rare, elusive, or invasive. Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) is an invasive bivalve posing ecological and economic threats to North American freshwater systems. In April 2021, zebra mussels were discovered attached to a boat destined for Lake Sidney Lanier in North Georgia—a high-use recreational reservoir with no prior reports of infestation. To determine whether D. polymorpha had been introduced, we implemented a biomonitoring protocol leveraging eDNA collection and PCR-based detection. Sampling was conducted during summer 2022 across high-risk marina sites and potential habitats. Positive controls from the Tennessee River yielded expected results, while Lake Lanier samples showed no evidence of zebra mussel DNA. Our results validate using eDNA methodology for proactive biomonitoring and highlight the importance of molecular surveillance and community outreach to prevent the establishment of invasive species in vulnerable aquatic systems. This study demonstrates the utility of a scalable, replicable early detection framework that can be adopted by educational institutions, natural resource agencies, and community groups to mitigate the risk of biological invasions. Full article

Environmental DNA metabarcoding offers an efficient and non-invasive solution for aquatic biomonitoring surveys, particularly demonstrating remarkable potential in macroinvertebrate research. In this study, we systematically analyzed 322 articles in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2010 to 2024 using bibliometric methods to reveal the research trends and technological advances in the field of macroinvertebrate surveys based on eDNA metabarcoding technology. The results showed that the number of annual publications has increased rapidly since 2012, with the United States (n = 58), France (n = 43), and Canada (n = 39) as the main contributing countries, and the most intensive collaboration network was observed among Europe countries. A keyword analysis shows that, in the past five years, the research direction has shifted to novel methodologies including multi-marker approaches, quantitative PCR, digital PCR, and other molecular detection platforms and high-throughput sequencing technology, with the integration of machine-learning and deep-learning architecture significantly improving the taxonomic resolution of data analysis. Despite the advantages of eDNA metabarcoding technology in terms of sensitivity and efficiency, persistent challenges including false positives/negatives in detection and incomplete reference databases are still the main challenges. This study provides methodological evidence for standardizing eDNA protocols in benthic assessments while identifying critical knowledge gaps. Full article

Children constitute a population at risk from environmental exposure to trace elements. This study aimed to evaluate correlations between urinary and blood levels of multiple elements in school-aged children (5–12 years), assessing whether urine, a less invasive matrix, could complement or replace blood sampling. A pilot biomonitoring study was conducted, and 91 children provided urine and venous blood samples in which the levels of 17 contaminants (Al, As, Ba, Cs, Co, Cu, I, Pb, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, Te, Ti, and Zn) were assessed. Spearman correlation coefficients (rho) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Urinary and blood levels of arsenic (rho = 0.23, 95% CI 0.01–0.44), lead (rho = 0.43, 95% CI 0.24–0.61), and strontium (rho = 0.22, 95% CI 0.03–0.40) showed significant correlations. These findings suggest that urine sampling could serve as a practical alternative to blood collection for monitoring specific trace elements like lead in pediatric populations, particularly in large-scale studies where participant compliance is critical. However, modest correlations for other elements highlight the need for element-specific validation before adopting urine as a universal biomonitoring matrix. Future research should explore the pharmacokinetic and exposure-related factors driving these relationships to optimize non-invasive surveillance strategies for children’s environmental health. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer and industrial products due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, their persistence and bioaccumulative potential pose significant environmental and human health risks. This review focuses on the use of non-invasive matrices—urine, hair, and nails—for the human biomonitoring of PFAS, highlighting key findings from scientific studies. While urine offers a non-invasive and practical option, its limited sensitivity for long-chain PFAS requires further analytical advances. Hair and nails have demonstrated potential for use in biomonitoring, with higher detection frequencies and concentrations for certain PFAS compared to urine. The variability in PFAS levels across studies reflects differences in population characteristics, exposure sources, and geographic regions. This review emphasizes the need for standardized analytical methods, expanded population studies, and the use of complementary matrices to enhance the accuracy and reliability of PFAS exposure assessment. Full article

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most severely affected environments by species loss caused by climate change and intense anthropogenic pressure. To preserve biodiversity, biomonitoring plays a key role by providing reliable data on biological diversity and ecological status. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a powerful and non-invasive alternative to traditional morphology-based sampling and identification methods. This study represents the first application of eDNA analysis to assess the invertebrate communities in three Sicilian Lakes: Poma, Piana degli Albanesi and Scanzano. Water samples were collected at two points in each lake and after filtration with nitrocellulose membranes, eDNA was extracted and metabarcoding analysis was performed. A total of 27 species were identified, belonging to Phyla of Annelida, Arthropoda and Rotifera. Notably, the analysis revealed the presence of alien species (Daphnia parvula and Acanthocyclops americanus), a dangerous species associated with the transmission of viral diseases (Culex pipiens), and potential new records for Sicily (Stylaria lacustris, Platypalpus exilis, Pammene aurana, Limnephilus rhombicus). These results provide a preliminary snapshot of invertebrate biodiversity at these sites, demonstrating how eDNA has the potential to complement, but not replace, traditional methods, contributing to the assessment of ecosystem status. Full article