Petroleum coke exposure leads to altered secretome profiles in human lung models

Petroleum coke (PC) is a coal-like product that is produced during the refinement of crude oil and bituminous sand. Fugitive dust from open storage of PC in urban areas is a potential human health concern. Animal inhalation studies suggest that PC leads to an adverse pulmonary histopathology, including areas of fibrosis and chronic inflammation; however, little is known about its impact on human health. In order to identify biomarkers and cellular pathways that are associated with exposure, we performed two-dimensional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric analyses on secreted proteins from two human lung culture models. A total of 2795 proteins were identified and relatively quantified from an immortalized cell line and 2406 proteins from primary cultures that were either mock treated or exposed to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5–10 μm PC or filtered urban air particulates for 16 h. Pathway analysis on secretomes from primary lung cultures indicated that PC exposure suppressed the secretion of proteins involved in the organization of the extracellular matrix and epithelial differentiation. Because these cellular processes could facilitate fibrosis, we performed chronic 12-day exposure studies on three-dimensional human lung cultures consisting of epithelia and stromal fibroblasts. Relative to mock-treated cells, matrix metallopeptidase 9 levels in the conditioned media were lower by 4 days postexposure and remained suppressed for the duration of the experiment. Immunocytochemical staining of collagen III, a marker associated with fibrosis, showed increased accumulation in the epithelial layer and at the air–liquid interface.

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Ovarian Transcriptomic Analyses in the Urban Human Health Pest, the Western Black Widow Spider

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes11010087 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 87

Author(s):

Lindsay S. Miles ◽

Nadia A. Ayoub ◽

Jessica E. Garb ◽

Robert A. Haney ◽

Brian C. Verrelli

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Urban Areas ◽

De Novo ◽

Health Concern ◽

Vitelline Membrane ◽

Ovary Development ◽

Life History Variation ◽

Black Widow ◽

Black Widow Spider ◽

Widow Spider

Due to their abundance and ability to invade diverse environments, many arthropods have become pests of economic and health concern, especially in urban areas. Transcriptomic analyses of arthropod ovaries have provided insight into life history variation and fecundity, yet there are few studies in spiders despite their diversity within arthropods. Here, we generated a de novo ovarian transcriptome from 10 individuals of the western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus), a human health pest of high abundance in urban areas, to conduct comparative ovarian transcriptomic analyses. Biological processes enriched for metabolism—specifically purine, and thiamine metabolic pathways linked to oocyte development—were significantly abundant in L. hesperus. Functional and pathway annotations revealed overlap among diverse arachnid ovarian transcriptomes for highly-conserved genes and those linked to fecundity, such as oocyte maturation in vitellogenin and vitelline membrane outer layer proteins, hormones, and hormone receptors required for ovary development, and regulation of fertility-related genes. Comparative studies across arachnids are greatly needed to understand the evolutionary similarities of the spider ovary, and here, the identification of ovarian proteins in L. hesperus provides potential for understanding how increased fecundity is linked to the success of this urban pest.

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Assessing the biological reactivity of organic compounds on volcanic ash: implications for human health hazard

Bulletin of Volcanology ◽

10.1007/s00445-021-01453-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 83 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Ines Tomašek ◽

David E. Damby ◽

Daniele Andronico ◽

Peter J. Baxter ◽

Imke Boonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Organic Compounds ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Volcanic Ash ◽

Surface Composition ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Health Concern ◽

Exposure Limits ◽

Biological Potency ◽

Active Volcanoes

AbstractExposure to volcanic ash is a long-standing health concern for people living near active volcanoes and in distal urban areas. During transport and deposition, ash is subjected to various physicochemical processes that may change its surface composition and, consequently, bioreactivity. One such process is the interaction with anthropogenic pollutants; however, the potential for adsorbed, deleterious organic compounds to directly impact human health is unknown. We use an in vitro bioanalytical approach to screen for the presence of organic compounds of toxicological concern on ash surfaces and assess their biological potency. These compounds include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dlPCBs). Analysis of ash collected in or near urbanised areas at five active volcanoes across the world (Etna, Italy; Fuego, Guatemala; Kelud, Indonesia; Sakurajima, Japan; Tungurahua, Ecuador) using the bioassay inferred the presence of such compounds on all samples. A relatively low response to PCDD/Fs and the absence of a dlPCBs response in the bioassay suggest that the measured activity is dominated by PAHs and PAH-like compounds. This study is the first to demonstrate a biological potency of organic pollutants associated with volcanic ash particles. According to our estimations, they are present in quantities below recommended exposure limits and likely pose a low direct concern for human health.

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EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL SPILL CONSEQUENCES USING MODELING1

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-2005-1-421 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2005 (1) ◽

pp. 421-426

Author(s):

Nicole Whittier ◽

Deborah French McCoy ◽

Matthew Ward

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Rank Order ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Lower Atmosphere ◽

Health Concern ◽

Worst Case ◽

Hazardous Chemical ◽

Large Channel ◽

Chemical Spills

ABSTRACT A wide variety of chemicals are shipped in bulk world-wide, raising concerns regarding the ecological and human health risks of hazardous chemical spills. A screening analysis was performed using the chemical spill model, CHEMMAP, to estimate the fate and concentrations of selected chemicals in water and the atmosphere above the water, as well as the potential for ecological and human health impacts that would result from a spill into a large channel. A representative sample of chemicals, including floating, sinking, soluble and insoluble chemicals, were evaluated using typical shipping volumes to assess worst-case scenarios. The model uses physical and chemical properties to simulate three dimensional fate processes, including: (1) spreading (floating liquids), (2) transport (3) dispersion, (4) evaporation-volatilization, (5) entrainment (liquids), (6) dissolution, (7) partitioning, (8) sedimentation, (9) resuspension and (10) degradation. Estimates of the distribution of chemical (mass and concentrations) on the water surface, on shorelines, in the water column, in the sediments, and in the lower atmosphere (in the zone where there would be exposure to humans and wildlife) are calculated over time. Based on model outputs, it is possible to select chemicals that would have the highest ecological and human health consequences after a spill. Chemicals that would have the greatest ecological consequence are those that are not highly volatile, disperse readily, are soluble, and have the lowest threshold of concern. Similarly, it is possible to select chemicals that would have the greatest human health concern, which would be chemicals that are more volatile and present hazards via the inhalation pathway. The model results can be used to indicate safe distances for responders, as well as the area of water that may be contaminated above thresholds of concern. This paper describes the model's application to hypothetical spills of selected chemicals and the rank order of these chemicals based on how hazardous they are to human health and the ecosystem.

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CO-OCCURRING TRACE ELEMENTS (CTES) OF POTENTIAL HUMAN HEALTH CONCERN IN ARSENIC CONTAMINATED AQUIFERS IN THE BENGAL BASIN

10.1130/abs/2020am-359973 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Harshad Vijay Kulkarni ◽

◽

Michael Vega ◽

Karen Johannesson ◽

Robert Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Human Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Bengal Basin ◽

Contaminated Aquifers ◽

Potential Human Health

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Dip angles of active faults from the surface to the seismogenic zone inferred from a 2D numerical analysis of visco-elasto-plastic models: a case study for the Osaka Plain

Earth Planets and Space ◽

10.1186/s40623-021-01390-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hayami Nishiwaki ◽

Takamoto Okudaira ◽

Kazuhiko Ishii ◽

Muneki Mitamura

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Active Faults ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Seismogenic Zone ◽

Earthquake Ground Motion ◽

Convex Curve ◽

Seismic Reflection Profile ◽

Geological Structures ◽

Dimensional Distribution ◽

Dip Angle

AbstractThe geometries (i.e., dip angles) of active faults from the surface to the seismogenic zone are the most important factors used to evaluate earthquake ground motion, which is crucial for seismic hazard assessments in urban areas. In Osaka, a metropolitan city in Japan, there are several active faults (e.g., the Uemachi and Ikoma faults), which are inferred from the topography, the attitude of active faults in surface trenches, the seismic reflection profile at shallow depths (less than 2 km), and the three-dimensional distribution of the Quaternary sedimentary layers. The Uemachi and Ikoma faults are N–S-striking fault systems with total lengths of 42 km and 38 km, respectively, with the former being located ~ 12 km west of the latter; however, the geometries of each of the active faults within the seismogenic zone are not clear. In this study, to examine the geometries of the Uemachi and Ikoma faults from the surface to the seismogenic zone, we analyze the development of the geological structures of sedimentary layers based on numerical simulations of a two-dimensional visco-elasto-plastic body under a horizontal compressive stress field, including preexisting high-strained weak zones (i.e., faults) and surface sedimentation processes, and evaluate the relationship between the observed geological structures of the Quaternary sediments (i.e., the Osaka Group) in the Osaka Plain and the model results. As a result, we propose geometries of the Uemachi and Ikoma faults from the surface to the seismogenic zone. When the friction coefficient of the faults is ~ 0.5, the dip angles of the Uemachi and Ikoma faults near the surface are ~ 30°–40° and the Uemachi fault has a downward convex curve at the bottom of the seismogenic zone, but does not converge to the Ikoma fault. Based on the analysis in this study, the dip angle of the Uemachi fault zone is estimated to be approximately 30°–40°, which is lower than that estimated in the previous studies. If the active fault has a low angle, the width of the fault plane is long, and thus the estimated seismic moment will be large.

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Urban areas, human health and technosols for the green deal

Environmental Geochemistry and Health ◽

10.1007/s10653-021-00953-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

T. Rodríguez-Espinosa ◽

J. Navarro-Pedreño ◽

I. Gómez-Lucas ◽

M. M. Jordán-Vidal ◽

J. Bech-Borras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Urban Areas

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Tunnel performance during the Puebla-Mexico 19 September 2017 earthquake

Earthquake Spectra ◽

10.1177/8755293020976140 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2_suppl) ◽

pp. 288-313

Author(s):

Juan M Mayoral ◽

Gilberto Mosqueda ◽

Daniel De La Rosa ◽

Mauricio Alcaraz

Keyword(s):

Mexico City ◽

Seismic Performance ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Numerical Study ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Frequency Content ◽

Seismic Performance Evaluation ◽

Ground Deformations ◽

Under Construction ◽

Observed Damage

Seismic performance of tunnels during earthquakes in densely populated areas requires assessing complex interactions with existing infrastructure such as bridges, urban overpasses, and metro stations, including low- to medium-rise buildings. This article presents the numerical study of an instrumented tunnel, currently under construction on stiff soils, located in the western part of Mexico City, during the Puebla-Mexico 19 September 2017 earthquake. Three-dimensional finite difference models were developed using the software FLAC3D. Initially, the static response of the tunnel was evaluated accounting for the excavation technique. Then, the seismic performance evaluation of the tunnel was carried out, computing ground deformations and factors of safety, considering soil nonlinearities. Good agreement was observed between predicted and observed damage during post-event site observations. Once the soundness of the numerical model was established, a numerical study was undertaken to investigate the effect of frequency content in tunnel-induced ground motion incoherence for tunnels built in cemented stiff soils. A series of strong ground motions recorded during normal and subduction events were used in the simulations, considering a return period of 250 years, as recommended in the Mexico City building code. From the results, it was concluded that the tunnel presence leads to important frequency content modification in the tunnel surroundings which can affect low- to mid-rise stiff structures located nearby. This important finding must be taken into account when assessing the seismic risk in highly populated urban areas, such as Mexico City.

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Detection of Beta-Lactam-Resistant Escherichia coli and Toxigenic Clostridioides difficile Strains in Wild Boars Foraging in an Anthropization Gradient

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061585 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1585

Author(s):

Laila Darwich ◽

Chiara Seminati ◽

Jorge R. López-Olvera ◽

Anna Vidal ◽

Laia Aguirre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Health Concern ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Beta Lactam ◽

Wild Boars ◽

Clostridioides Difficile

Disease transmission among wild boars, domestic animals and humans is a public health concern, especially in areas with high wild boar densities. In this study, fecal samples of wild boars (n = 200) from different locations of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona were analyzed by PCR to explore the frequency of β-lactamases and extended cephalosporin and carbapenem resistance genes (ESBLs) in Escherichia coli strains and the presence of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile. The prevalence of genes conferring resistance to β-lactam antimicrobials was 8.0% (16/200): blaCMY-2 (3.0%), blaTEM-1b (2.5%), blaCTX-M-14 (1.0%), blaSHV-28 (1.0%), blaCTX-M-15 (0.5%) and blaCMY-1 (0.5%). Clostridioides difficile TcdA+ was detected in two wild boars (1.0%), which is the first report of this pathogen in wild boars in Spain. Moreover, the wild boars foraging in urban and peri-urban locations were more exposed to AMRB sources than the wild boars dwelling in natural environments. In conclusion, the detection of E. coli carrying ESBL/AmpC genes and toxigenic C. difficile in wild boars foraging in urban areas reinforces the value of this game species as a sentinel of environmental AMRB sources. In addition, these wild boars can be a public and environmental health concern by disseminating AMRB and other zoonotic agents. Although this study provides the first hints of the potential anthropogenic sources of AMR, further efforts should be conducted to identify and control them.

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