Long-Term Programme for Pollution Monitoring and Research in the Mediterranean (MED POL)

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Jeftic
Keyword(s):  
Organophosphorus Compounds ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Pollution Monitoring ◽  
Data Quality Control ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Scientific Meetings

Long-term programme for pollution monitoring and research in the Mediterranean (MED POL) was adopted by the Mediterranean countries in 1981. Monitoring of the Mediterranean pollution in the framework of MED POL started in 1983 and at present 16 Mediterranean countries have on-going programmes and are submitting data. Through these programmes pollution is regularly monitored at hundreds of sampling stations. All national research centres involved in monitoring participate in the continuing programme of data quality control which includes intercalibration of sampling and analytical techniques. By the end of 1991, over 400 research projects have been implemented in the framework of MED POL by 150 institutes from 15 Mediterranean countries. Results gathered through the research component of MED POL were presented at numerous scientific meetings and were published in a large number of scientific papers. Data generated through MED POL are used as the basis for the analysis of the present “state of the health” of the Mediterranean and of the trends in pollution levels. They also provide scientific information needed for the formulation of common measures to control pollution. In-depth assessment studies, including concrete recommendations for measures to be taken by the Contracting Parties were completed for microbial pollution, mercury, cadmium, petroleum hydrocarbons, used lubricating oils, organotin compounds, organohalogen compounds, organophosphorus compounds, persistent synthetic materials, radioactive substances and pathogenic microorganisms. Similar assessment studies are being prepared on other subjects.

scholarly journals Long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of cephalopod assemblages in the Mediterranean Sea

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (S1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Antoni Quetglas ◽  
Maria Valls ◽  
Francesca Capezzuto ◽  
Loredana Casciaro ◽  
Danila Cuccu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Longitudinal Gradient ◽  
Eastern Basin ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Increasing Temperature ◽  
Trawl Surveys

The Mediterranean Sea shows a trend of increasing temperature and decreasing productivity from the western to the eastern basin. In this work we investigate whether this trend is reflected in the cephalopod assemblages found throughout the Mediterranean. Data obtained with bottom trawl surveys carried out during the last 22 years by EU Mediterranean countries were used. In addition to analysing spatial differences in cephalopod assemblages, we also analysed putative temporal changes during the last two decades. For this purpose, the basin was spatially divided into bioregions, the trawling grounds were subdivided into depth strata, and the dataset was split into two time series of 11 years each. All analyses were done using PRIMER software. The species richness did not vary with the longitudinal gradient, though in most bioregions it showed a mild decrease with depth before plummeting in the deepest waters. Cluster analysis revealed four different bathymetric assemblages in all bioregions. Despite the contrasting conditions between basins and the claims of biodiversity loss, our study revealed that spatial and temporal differences during the last two decades were restricted to changes in the relative abundance of species from a common pool of species inhabiting the whole Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean Action Plan: A Regional Approach to Pollution Control

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
Lj Jeftié ◽  
L. J. Saliba
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Industrial Wastes ◽  
Pollution Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Preservation ◽  
Agricultural Pesticides ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
And Control

Increasing concern over the deterioration of the Mediterranean sea as a result of increasing pollution by untreated sewage and industrial wastes, agricultural pesticides and fertilizers and oil discharges, led to a series of meetings between 1970 and 1974, and finally to the UNEP-sponsored Mediterranean Action Plan, adopted by governments of the region in 1975 and ongoing since that time. The legal component of the Plan includes a framework Convention and four protocols; the environmental assessment component (the MED POL programme) consists of national pollution monitoring programmes, and research projects conducted by Mediterranean institutions; the environmental management component consists of the Blue Plan (a prospective study combining socio-economic development with environmental preservation) and the Priority Actions Programme (a series of sub-region sectoral projects in defined areas). The Plan has been financed by Mediterranean States since 1979, and is managed by UNEP with the cooperation of other competent UN Agencies. During the last ten years, activities undertaken have improved knowledge of the state of pollution of the Mediterranean sea, and facilitated joint regional action in the form of preventive and control measures.

Recent advances in the analysis full/empty capsid ratio and genome integrity of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery vectors

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Hajba ◽  
A. Guttman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Delivery ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Adeno Associated Virus ◽  
Gene Delivery Vectors ◽  
Empty Capsid ◽  
Purification Methods ◽  
Viral Gene Delivery

: Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the most promising viral gene delivery vectors with long-term gene expression and disease correction featuring high efficiency and excellent safety in human clinical trials. During the production of AAV vectors,there are several quality control (QC)parameters that should be rigorously monitored to comply with clini-cal safety and efficacy. This review gives a short summary of the most frequently used AVV production and purification methods,focusing on the analytical techniques applied to determine the full/empty capsid ratio and the integrity of the encapsidated therapeutic DNA of the products.

Recent Developments in CE-MS Based Metabolomics

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Çelebier ◽  
Merve Nenni
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Living Organism ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Ionic Compounds ◽  
Recent Sample ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Endogenous Metabolites ◽  
Preparation Techniques

Background: Metabolomics has gained importance in clinical applications over the last decade. Metabolomics studies are significant because the systemic metabolome is directly affected by disease conditions. Metabolome-based biomarkers are actively being developed for early diagnosis and to indicate the stage of specific diseases. Additionally, understanding the effect of an intervention on a living organism at the molecular level is a crucial strategy for understanding novel or unexpected biological processes. Results: The simultaneous improvements in advanced analytical techniques, sample preparation techniques, computer technology, and databank contents has enabled more valuable scientific information to be gained from metabolomics than ever before. With over 15,000 known endogenous metabolites, there is no single analytical technique capable of analyzing the whole metabolome. However, capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) is a unique technique used to analyze an important portion of metabolites not accessible by liquid chromatography or gas chromatography techniques. The analytical capability of CE, combined with recent sample preparation techniques focused on extracting polar-ionic compounds, make CE-MS a perfect technique for metabolomic studies. Conclusion: Here, previous reviews of CE-MS based metabolomics are evaluated to highlight recent improvements in this technique. Specifically, we review papers from the last two years (2018 and 2019) on CE-MS based metabolomics. The current situation and the challenges facing metabolomic studies are discussed to reveal the high potential of CE-MS for further studies, especially in biomarker development studies.

scholarly journals The 3-Year Effect of the Mediterranean Diet Intervention on Inflammatory Biomarkers Related to Cardiovascular Disease

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 862
Author(s):  
Mireia Urpi-Sarda ◽  
Rosa Casas ◽  
Emilio Sacanella ◽  
Dolores Corella ◽  
Cristina Andrés-Lacueva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽  
Year Effect ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

The intervention with the Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern has evidenced short-term anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known about its long-term anti-inflammatory properties at molecular level. This study aims to investigate the 3-year effect of MD interventions compared to low-fat diet (LFD) on changes on inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis in a free-living population with a high-risk of cardiovascular disease (CD). Participants (n = 285) in the PREDIMED trial were randomly assigned into three intervention groups: MD with extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or MD-Nuts, and a LFD. Fourteen plasma inflammatory biomarkers were determined by Luminex assays. An additional pilot study of gene expression (GE) was determined by RT-PCR in 35 participants. After 3 years, both MDs showed a significant reduction in the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, hs-CRP, MCP-1, MIP-1β, RANTES, and ENA78 (p < 0.05; all). The decreased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α after MD significantly differed from those in the LFD (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed at the gene level after MD interventions, however, the GE of CXCR2 and CXCR3 tended to increase in the control LFD group (p = 0.09). This study supports the implementation of MD as a healthy long-term dietary pattern in the prevention of CD in populations at high cardiovascular risk.

scholarly journals Association between the Mediterranean lifestyle, metabolic syndrome and mortality: a whole-country cohort in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Sotos-Prieto ◽  
Rosario Ortolá ◽  
Miguel Ruiz-Canela ◽  
Esther Garcia-Esquinas ◽  
David Martínez-Gómez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Cardiovascular Mortality ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Low Hdl ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Background Evidence is limited about the joint health effects of the Mediterranean lifestyle on cardiometabolic health and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the Mediterranean lifestyle with the frequency of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Spain. Methods Data were taken from ENRICA study, a prospective cohort of 11,090 individuals aged 18+ years, representative of the population of Spain, who were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes at 2008–2010 and were followed-up to 2017. The Mediterranean lifestyle was assessed at baseline with the 27-item MEDLIFE index (with higher score representing better adherence). Results Compared to participants in the lowest quartile of MEDLIFE, those in the highest quartile had a multivariable-adjusted odds ratio 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5, 0.93) for MS, 0.63. (0.51, 0.80) for abdominal obesity, and 0.76 (0.63, 0.90) for low HDL-cholesterol. Similarly, a higher MELDIFE score was associated with lower HOMA-IR and highly-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P-trend < 0.001). During a mean follow-up of 8.7 years, 330 total deaths (74 CVD deaths) were ascertained. When comparing those in highest vs. lowest quartile of MEDLIFE, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) was 0.58 (0.37, 0.90) for total mortality and 0.33 (0.11, 1.02) for cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions The Mediterranean lifestyle was associated with lower frequency of MS and reduced all-cause mortality in Spain. Future studies should determine if this also applies to other Mediterranean countries, and also improve cardiovascular health outside the Mediterranean basin.

scholarly journals Family Meals, Conviviality and the Mediterranean Diet among Families with Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2499
Author(s):  
Andrea de la Torre-Moral ◽  
Sergi Fàbregues ◽  
Anna Bach-Faig ◽  
Albert Fornieles-Deu ◽  
F. Xavier Medina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Family Meals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Family Meal ◽  
Food Pattern ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Meal Composition

Two aspects that characterize the Mediterranean diet (MD) are “what” and “how” we eat. Conviviality relates to “how” we eat and to the pleasure of sharing meals with significant people. The most studied concept is “family meals”, which includes conviviality, which involves “enjoying” family meals. Given the lack of research on convivial family meals in Mediterranean countries, the purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the family meal representations and practices of families with 12- to 16-year-old adolescents to assess whether they responded to a pattern of conviviality, and to examine their association with MD adherence. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted and food frequency and family meal questionnaires were administered. A food pattern analysis was carried out and digital photos of meals were analyzed to examine eating habits and meal composition, respectively. The findings showed that parents believed family meals are a space for socialization and communication. Items relating to the conviviality of family meals identified in the study were meal frequency, meals at the table, lack of digital distractions, pleasant conversations, and time spent on family meals. Attention should be paid to conviviality in Mediterranean families when designing multi-approach strategies to promote healthy eating among adolescents.

A case study of noise pollution levels during the restrictions period due to COVID-19.

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. 206-214
Author(s):  
David Montes-González ◽  
Juan Miguel Barrigón-Morillas ◽  
Ana Cristina Bejarano-Quintas ◽  
Manuel Parejo-Pizarro ◽  
Guillermo Rey-Gozalo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Acoustic Measurements ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) led to the need for drastic control measures around the world to reduce the impact on the health of the population. The confinement of people in their homes resulted in a significant reduction in human activity at every level (economic, social, industrial, etc.), which was reflected in a decrease in environmental pollution levels. Studying the evolution of parameters, such as the level of environmental noise caused by vehicle traffic in urban environments, makes it possible to assess the impact of this type of measure. This paper presents a case study of the acoustic situation in Cáceres (Spain) during the restriction period by means of long-term acoustic measurements at various points of the city.

Future water-related risks and management options in the Mediterranean basin 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianela Fader ◽  
Carlo Giupponi ◽  
Selmin Burak ◽  
Hamouda Dakhlaoui ◽  
Aristeidis Koutroulis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Climate And Environmental Change ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Future ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

&lt;p&gt;The presentation will summarize the main findings of the chapter &amp;#8220;Water&amp;#8221;[1] of the report &amp;#8220;Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin &amp;#8211; Current Situation and Risks for the Future&amp;#8221;. This report was published in November 2020 and prepared by 190 scientists from 25 countries, who belong to the scientific network &amp;#8220;Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change&amp;#8221;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Water resources in the Mediterranean are scarce, unevenly distributed and often mismatching human and environmental needs. Approx. 180 million people in the southern and eastern Mediterranean countries suffer from water scarcity (&lt;1000 m&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; capita&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;). The main water use is for agriculture, and more specifically on the southern and eastern rim. Water demand for both tourism and agriculture peak in summer, potentially enhancing conflicts in the future. Municipal water use is particularly constrained in the south and will likely be exacerbated in the future by demographic and migration phenomena. Northern countries face additional risks in flood prone areas where urban settlements are rapidly increasing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Climate change, in combination with demographic and socio-economic developments, has mainly negative consequences for the water cycle in the Mediterranean Basin, including reduced runoff and groundwater recharge, increased crop water requirements, increased conflicts among users, and increased risk of overexploitation and degradation. These impacts will be particularly severe for global warming higher than 2&amp;#176;C.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Adequate water supply and demand management offers some options to cope with risks. Technical solutions are available for improving water use efficiency and productivity, and increasing reuse. Seawater desalination is increasingly used as adaptation measure to reduce (potable) water scarcity in dry Mediterranean countries, despite known drawbacks in terms of environmental impacts and energy requirements. Promising solar technologies are under development, potentially reducing emissions and costs. Reuse of wastewater is a solution for agriculture and industrial activities but also recharge of aquifers. Inter-basin transfers may lead to controversies and conflicts. Construction of dams contributes to the reduction of water and energy scarcities, but with trade-offs in terms of social and environmental impacts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Overall, water demand management, which increases water use efficiency and reduces water losses, is crucial for water governance for a sustainable development. Maintaining Mediterranean diet or coming back to it on the basis of locally produced foods and reducing food wastes may save water but also carbon emissions while having nutritional and health benefits.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;p&gt;[1] &lt;strong&gt;Fader M.&lt;/strong&gt;, Giupponi C., Burak S., Dakhlaoui H., Koutroulis A., Lange M.A., Llasat M.C., Pulido-Velazquez D., Sanz-Cobe&amp;#241;a A. (2020): Water. In: Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin &amp;#8211; Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer W, Guiot J, Marini K (eds.)] Union for the Mediterranean, Plan Bleu, UNEP/MAP, Marseille, France, 57pp, in press. Download&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;

Abstract TP423: A Fast Assessment of Diet in Stroke (FADS)

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Dearborn ◽  
Haleigh Roach ◽  
Pooja Narwal ◽  
Meghan Peterson ◽  
Sameera Talegawkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Roc Curve Analysis ◽  
Dietary Counseling ◽  
Men 2 ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Unhealthy Diet ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Low Sensitivity

Objectives: To design and validate a questionnaire to identify stroke patients with an unhealthy diet. Hypothesis: A simple questionnaire can accurately identify patients with dietary patterns associated with increased risk for vascular disease. Methods: An expert panel identified the components of a healthy diet thought to be important for secondary stroke prevention and drafted ten candidate survey questions. A focus group of four stroke patients (2 men, 2 women) from Yale New Haven Hospital reviewed the questions to refine the wording. From this group, the investigator chose five questions to create the Fast Assessment of Diet in Stroke (FADS) score. To validate the score, among 20 patients with acute ischemic stroke, we compared FADS score to the score on an established “gold standard” measure of adherence to the Mediterranean-type diet, the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). The MDS has a range of 0 (lowest adherence to the diet) to 9 (highest adherence). We used ROC curve analysis to identify the FADS score with optimal performance. Based on population means in non-Mediterranean countries, we defined an unhealthy diet as an MDS score <4. Results and Conclusions: The mean MDS score in the population was 3.2 (range 2 to 5). 74% of participants were defined as having an unhealthy diet (MDS <4). The aROC was 0.77. A FADS score ≤3 had had the highest sum for sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity = 79%, specificity = 50%). However, for clinical purposes, a FADS score of <3 may be most effective in selecting patients who need dietary counseling (sensitivity = 46%, specificity = 100%). The FADS score takes less than 2 minutes to administer and accurately identifies stroke patients who need dietary counseling. The low sensitivity, however, indicates that further development is required and that testing against other established gold standards of dietary quality should be completed. This work is under way.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document