Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

IEEE Trans Med Imaging 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

The purpose of this study was to develop a CT simulation platform that is 1) compatible with voxel-based computational phantoms, 2) capable of modeling the geometry and physics of commercial CT scanners, and 3) computationally efficient. Such a simulation platform is designed to enable the virtual evaluation and optimization of CT protocols and parameters for achieving a targeted image quality while reducing radiation dose. Given a voxelized computational phantom and a parameter file describing the desired scanner and protocol, the developed platform DukeSim calculates projection images using a combination of ray-tracing and Monte Carlo techniques. Read More

Environ Toxicol Chem 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H9 × 3V9, Canada.

Non-anadromous forms of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), those that are restricted to lakes and rivers, typically have higher mercury concentrations than anadromous forms that migrate to and from the sea. Using tissue burden data from the literature and our own analyses, we performed a screening-level risk assessment of methylmercury for non-anadromous Arctic char. Our assessment included 1569 fish distributed across 83 sites. Read More

Biol Trace Elem Res 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.

In order to study the effects of contaminants on human health, fish is considered as a powerful model among all available species for risk-benefit assessments. Tenualosa ilisha and Dorosoma cepedianum are two fish species of great economic importance as they are found in undeveloped, developing and developed countries. Concentrations of heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) were determined using validated and accredited test methods in order to assess the potential human health risk from the dietary intake of these two selected fish species. Read More

Dalton Trans 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM) UMR 5253 Univ Montpellier CNRS ENSCM, CC 1505, Place Eugène Bataillon, F-34095 Montpellier cedex 05, France.

The functionalization of the metal-organic framework MIL-47(VIV) with ligands bearing bulky functional groups (-Br or -CF3) has been envisaged as a possible route to enhance the mechanical energy storage performances of this family of hybrid porous materials. This exploratory work was carried out by coupling advanced experimental techniques (mercury intrusion and X-ray powder diffraction) supported by density functional theory calculations. MIL-47(VIV)-BDC-CF3 was demonstrated to be one of the most promising porous materials for mechanical energy-related applications with performance in terms of work energy which surpasses that of any porous solids reported so far. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 Dec 15;15(12). Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Engineering Laboratory for Municipal Waste Pollution Control Technology and Equipment Research, Lanzhou 730000, China.

The development path of the lighting industry in mainland China was studied in this work. Lighting electricity accounts for about 12% of social electricity consumption in mainland China, while only approximately 15% of electricity is conversed into light when incandescent light bulbs are used. To reduce electrical energy consumption and mercury emission from coal burning in the lighting industry, China worked out a roadmap to replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving fluorescent lamps (FLs). Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 Dec 14;15(12). Epub 2018 Dec 14.

The Stacey Motor Neuron Disease Laboratory, Discipline of Pathology, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.

Exposures to toxic metals such as mercury have been suggested to be risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Human intake of mercury commonly occurs via consumption of seafood or from mercury-containing amalgam dental restorations ('mercury fillings'). We therefore compared mercury exposures from these sources in 401 ALS and 452 non-ALS respondents, using an internationally-available online questionnaire that asked respondents how often they ate seafood and what their favourite types of seafoods were. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 8;219:684-694. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France.

In some locations, artisanal and small-scale gold-mining (ASGM) represents a significant source of anthropogenic Hg to freshwater environments. The Hg released from ASGM can contaminate aquatic fauna and pose health risks to downstream populations. Total Hg (THg) concentrations, speciation, and isotopic compositions were analyzed in water, suspended particulate matter, soil, and bottom sediment samples from pristine areas and in places of active and legacy gold mining along the Oyapock River (French Guiana) and its tributaries. Read More

Inorg Chem 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences , Tarbiat Modares University , P.O. Box 14115-4838, Tehran , Iran.

Water pollution by various toxic heavy-metal ions, particularly mercury and lead, has been considered as a global problem with serious threat to public health. Nowadays, a variety of adsorbents have been used extensively for the removal of heavy-metal ions from water. In this work, two Zn-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), named TMU-31 and TMU-32, were successfully synthesized by a solid-state method named mechanosynthesis, which can be considered as a rapid, green, convenient, solventless, and low-cost process. Read More

J Cosmet Dermatol 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Clínica Dermatológica Isela Méndez, Ciudad de México, México.

Exogenous ochronosis is a cutaneous condition characterized by blue-black pigmentation resulting as a complication of long-term application of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone and other substances such as quinine, phenol and mercury derivatives. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman who developed exogenous ochronosis as a result of prolonged use of topical hydroquinone for 5 years, characterized by greyish hyperpigmented patches on the nose and cheeks. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Read More

ACS Omega 2018 Nov 1;3(11):14606-14619. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar 382030, India.

In this study, novel adsorbent ceria nanoparticles (CeNPs) entrapped in tamarind powder (Tm@CeNPs) were efficiently utilized for the simultaneous adsorption of aqueous mercury [Hg(II)] and aqueous lead [Pb(II)]. Surface interactions between the adsorbent and heavy metal ions play an important role in the adsorption process, and the surface morphology can significantly improve the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. The Langmuir adsorption capacity of Tm@CeNPs for Hg(II) and Pb(II) was found to be 200 and 142. Read More

Trends Ecol Evol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK.

We present the results of our tenth annual horizon scan. We identified 15 emerging priority topics that may have major positive or negative effects on the future conservation of global biodiversity, but currently have low awareness within the conservation community. We hope to increase research and policy attention on these areas, improving the capacity of the community to mitigate impacts of potentially negative issues, and maximise the benefits of issues that provide opportunities. Read More

Drug Chem Toxicol 2018 Dec 17:1-11. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

a UR: Physiology and Aquatic Environment, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis , University Tunis El Manar , Tunis , Tunisia.

Mercury (Hg) is among the most deleterious contaminant in the aquatic environment and presents a serious risk to humans and ecosystems. This study evaluated the effects of Hg on oxidative stress biomarkers, DNA integrity and histological structure of the respiratory tree of Holothuria forskali exposed to different concentrations of mercury chloride HgCl (0.04, 0. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2018 Dec 13;170:461-467. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Regional do Cariri, Rua Cel. Antonio Luis 1161, Pimenta, 63105-000 Crato, CE, Brazil. Electronic address:

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant, metal chelating and cytoprotective activity of the Eugenia jambolana Lam. extract, as well as of its flavonoid and tannic fractions, against the action of Mercury Chloride (HgCl). Flavonoids were quantified and an LC-MS chromatographic analysis was performed to identify secondary metabolites. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Dec 6;219:546-556. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - Parque Califórnia, CEP: 28013-602, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The increase in global demand for electric energy is reflected in plans to construct numerous hydroelectric dams in South America that can cause chronic ecological impacts if not built and managed correctly. One of the main impacts generated by hydropower dams is the accumulation of Hg chemical species in their reservoir compartments and the downstream transport of these contaminants. Hg circulation in these environments has been studied for 27 years and this review brings a synthesis of the dynamics that are now well established, so that future studies can focus on gaps and inconsistent results in the literature. Read More

Biol Trace Elem Res 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Fisheries Technology, Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Istanbul University, Ordu st. No: 8, 34134 Laleli-Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.

The interactions between selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) were assessed in order to interpret public health risk, associated with dietary mercury exposure due to fish consumption. For this purpose, the mass and molar concentrations of Se and Hg were determined in the edible tissues of six species of fish, collected from the commercial fishing grounds of Turkey. The Se/Hg molar ratios and selenium health benefit values (Se-HBVs) were also calculated. Read More

Ecotoxicology 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.

It has been demonstrated that a number of metals including mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) decrease seed germination rates and plant growth. The threshold levels of metal toxicity on seed germination, plant development, and gene regulation have not been studied in detail. The main objective of this study was to assess in vitro and in vivo the effects of different doses of nickel on Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) seed germination and regulation of the high affinity nickel transporter family protein (AT2G16800) gene. Read More

Pharmaceutics 2018 Dec 13;10(4). Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.

Nail delivery has interest for local treatment of nail diseases. Nevertheless, the low permeability of drugs in the nail plaque precludes the efficacy of local treatments. The use of penetration enhancers can increase drug permeability and improve the efficacy of the treatment of nail pathologies. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2018 Dec 11;170:399-406. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Linghe Street 42, Dalian City, Liaoning Province 116023, China.

In past decades, China has experienced substantial economic growth and industrialization. However, the effects of vast development of China on Hg input to the nearby oceans are still unclear. In this study, four representative 210Pb-dated sediment cores were collected in the central and southern part of Bohai sea to investigate vertical changes of Hg contents and explore the relationship between the Hg deposition and pollution history in this region utilizing a large amount of information available. Read More

Environ Toxicol Chem 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota 55155, USA.

Common loons (Gavia immer) are at risk of elevated dietary mercury (Hg) exposure in portions of their breeding range. To assess the level of risk among loons in Minnesota, we investigated loon blood Hg concentrations in breeding lakes across Minnesota. Loon blood Hg concentrations were regressed on predicted Hg concentrations in standardized 12-cm whole organism yellow perch (Perca flavescens), based on fish Hg records from Minnesota lakes, using the U. Read More

Environ Sci Technol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

A vacuum-ultraviolet/ultraviolet (VUV/UV) mercury lamp was found to be a highly efficient radiation source for UV-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). If this lamp could enhance the UV/H2O2 process, it would be very attractive. Hence, we have investigated sulfamethazine (SMN) degradation by the VUV/UV/H2O2 process based on a bench-scale mini-fluidic VUV/UV photoreaction system (MVPS), a pilot reactor, and a model analysis. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, PK-46300, Pakistan.

Cadmium and mercury are among the most toxic and dangerous environmental pollutants that may cause fatal implications. Vitamin C is an important chain-breaking antioxidant and enzyme co-factor against heavy metals. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of cadmium chloride, mercuric chloride, and their co-administration on biochemical parameters of blood serum and metal bioaccumulation in kidneys and also to elucidate the protective effect of vitamin C in rabbits against these metals. Read More

Ecotoxicology 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.

The toxicity of metals, whether isolated or in mixtures, involves changes in biochemical processes as well as in cell membranes, which may lead to deleterious short- and long-term effects on the affected organisms. Among metals, cadmium and mercury stand out due to their abundance in nature, frequent use for industrial activities and biological accumulation, with high levels of residence in trophic chains. Benthic communities are particularly prone to metal pollution since metals usually accumulate in sediments. Read More

J Conserv Dent 2018 Nov-Dec;21(6):651-656

Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Introduction: With the introduction of tooth-colored restoration material, the usage of amalgam has reduced over years. However, results regarding toxicity and health concerns are conflicting. Based on the concept of recycle and reuse, we previously used an ayurvedic method for purification of excess mercury obtained from dental operatory. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2018 Dec 11;18(12). Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Burgos, Plaza de Misael Bañuelos s/n, 09001 Burgos, Spain.

Microcellular sensory polymers prepared from solid sensory polymeric films were tested in an aqueous Hg(II) detection process to analyze their sensory behavior. First, solid acrylic-based polymeric films of 100 µm thickness were obtained via radical copolymerization process. Secondly, dithizone sensoring motifs were anchored in a simple five-step route, obtaining handleable colorimetric sensory films. Read More

Chemosphere 2018 Nov 26;219:140-147. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 11/12 G. Narutowicza Street, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.

Of the various forms of Hg occurring in nature, (mono) methylmercury (MeHg) is an especially toxic form and practically all forms of Hg can be converted into MeHg as a result of natural processes. Total mercury (THg) and MeHg were determined in tissues of two piscivorous birds: razorbill Alca torda and black-throated loon Gavia arctica to provide baseline data on current mercury concentrations for liver, kidneys and pectoral muscle mercury concentrations of birds which winter on the south Baltic Sea coast. Intra and inter-specific comparisons were carried out. Read More

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil.

The original version of the article contained a mistake in the unit values. In the fourth paragraph of "Materials and Methods" section, the fourth sentence should read as: The obtained detection and quantification limits were 0.408 ng g and 3. Read More

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2018 Oct;36(10):780-782

Environ Toxicol Chem 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.

The Mekong River Delta is a flat, low-lying area formed by a dense network of main tributaries of the Tien River and the Hau River, providing a nourishing habitat for aquatic organisms. A sediment survey of the total mercury (Hg), monomethylmercury (MMHg), and geochemical variables was carried out from the coast to 131 km upriver to establish an overview of the environmental factors affecting the bioaccumulation of Hg and MMHg in delta fish. The survey results revealed that the total Hg (12-90 ng g ) and MMHg (0. Read More

Metallomics 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Laboratory of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, No 125, Augusto Corrêa Street N. 01, Guamá, 66075-900, Belém, Pará, Brazil.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an important toxicant that causes cognitive dysfunctions in humans. This study aimed to investigate the proteomic and biochemical alterations of the hippocampus associated with behavioural consequences of low doses of MeHg in a long-term exposure model, and to realistically mimic in vivo the result of human exposure to this toxicant. Adult Wistar male rats were exposed to a dose of MeHg at 0. Read More

ChemistryOpen 2018 Dec 3;7(12):933. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Analytical Chemistry; Reference Materials Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11 12489 Berlin Germany.

https://doi.org/10.1002/open. Read More

J Health Pollut 2018 Sep 10;8(19):180909. Epub 2018 Sep 10.

The Research Unit for General Practice, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: The majority of small-scale gold miners worldwide, including those in Mozambique, use mercury to extract gold. Over the last fifty years, gold production from small-scale mining has been accelerating and consequently the amount of mercury released to the environment has increased dramatically, causing major global health problems. In 2018, a team from the Danish non-governmental organization Diálogos introduced the mercury-free gold extraction method in the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique in the villages of Waqueia and Nanlia. Read More

J Health Pollut 2018 Sep 20;8(19):180902. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Laboratory of Toxicology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan.

Background: Soil contamination with heavy metals and metalloids has become an increasingly important issue in recent years.

Objectives: The present study examines possible contamination of the environment with metals from gold mining activities in Obuasi, Ghana.

Methods: Soil samples were collected from commercial and residential areas and tailing dams in Obuasi in order to investigate the extent of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) pollution, create thematic maps showing the extent of heavy metals pollution, identify the sources of pollution, and to assess risks to humans and the surrounding ecological system. Read More

J Health Pollut 2018 Jun 11;8(18):180602. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Department of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.

Background: Adsorption is a unique and promising method for the removal of trace metals from an aqueous environment using cost-effective and readily available biochars.

Objective: The present study examined mono and simultaneous adsorption of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) onto biochars produced at pyrolysis temperatures of 350 ± 5°C and 700 ± 5°C.

Methods: Fifty mg/l of trace metal ions with 2 g/50 ml of adsorbent dosage were leached at constant room temperature of 24 ± 0. Read More

J Health Pollut 2017 Dec 18;7(16):58-70. Epub 2017 Dec 18.

Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Background: With a population of over 165,000,000, growing at an average rate of 2.7% per annum and an economic growth rate of about 5.7% in the past five years, the market for refined petroleum products in Nigeria is growing. Read More

Arch Public Health 2018 3;76:73. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

1School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON Canada.

Background: Human biomonitoring represents an important tool for health risk assessment, supporting the characterization of contaminant exposure and nutrient status. In communities where country foods (locally harvested foods: land animals, fish, birds, plants) are integrated in the daily diet, as is the case in remote northern regions where food security is a challenge, such foods can potentially be a significant route of contaminant exposure. To assess this issue, a biomonitoring project was implemented among Dene/Métis communities of the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Read More

Biol Trace Elem Res 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bingol University, 12000, Bingol, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mercury chloride and boric acid on rat (Wistar albino) erythrocyte: glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphoglucona-te dehydrogenase (6PGD), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes in vivo, and the rat erythrocyte G6PD enzyme in vitro. In the in vivo study, 24 male rats were divated into three different groups: control (C), mercury chloride (M), and mercury chloride + boric acid (M + BA). At the completion of this study, a significant degree of inhibition for both G6PD and GST enzyme activity was observed in the M groups when compared to the C group (p < 0. Read More

Bioanalysis 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, El-Messalah, Alexandria 21521, Egypt.

Aim: Differential pulse polarography was used for the concurrent analysis of the coadministered dantrolene (DAN) and indomethacin (IND) in plasma.

Materials & Methods: DAN and IND, Hanging mercury drop electrode and Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 5 were used. In plasma, cathodic reduction of DAN nitro group and its active metabolite at -0. Read More

Front Chem 2018 27;6:566. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China.

Reliable and sensitive methods to monitor mercury levels in real samples are highly important for environment protection and human health. Herein, a label-free colorimetric sensor for Hg quantitation using gold nanostar (GNS) has been demonstrated, based on the formation of Au-Hg amalgamate that leads to shape-evolution of the GNS and changes in its absorbance. Addition of ascorbic acid (AA) to GNS solution is important for quantitation of Hg, mainly because it can reduce Hg to Hg to enhance amalgamation on the GNSs and stabilize GNSs. Read More

Nature 2018 12;564(7735):164

Hum Exp Toxicol 2018 Dec 12:960327118818236. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

Water contamination with metals due to anthropogenic activity is increasing and subsequent exposure increases the risk of associated toxicity. Exposure is not limited to a single metal but usually involves mixtures of different metals at different concentrations. Little is known about the contribution of this type of exposure, in humans, to the development of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, and an increased risk to thrombosis. Read More

Chem Rec 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO BOX 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.

The necessity to drastically act against mercury pollution has been emphatically addressed by the United Nations. Coal-fired power plants contribute a great deal to the anthropogenic emissions; therefore, numerous sorbents/catalysts have been developed to remove elemental mercury (Hg ) from flue gases. Among them, ceria (CeO ) has attracted significant interest, due to its reversible Ce /Ce redox pair, surface-bound defects and acid-base properties. Read More

Amino Acids 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Institute of Toxicology, Core Unit Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are endogenous inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. SDMA is excreted in the urine without major metabolization. About 10% of daily produced ADMA are excreted unchanged in the urine. Read More

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, 2 St. Lawrence Drive, Cornwall, ON, K6H 4Z1, Canada.

Legacy mercury (Hg) sediment deposits are a long-term issue within the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) area of concern with three depositional areas along the Cornwall, ON waterfront containing sediments that exceed the Ontario Sediment Quality Guidelines for Hg. Assessing the bioavailability of these Hg-contaminated sediments plays a crucial role in evaluating the effectiveness of the Cornwall Sediment Strategy based on a natural recovery approach. Read More

Mikrochim Acta 2018 Dec 10;186(1). Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Key Laboratory of Predictive Microbiology and Chemical Residual Analysis, College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, Fujian, China.

A one-step reduction method was used for the preparation of stable graphitic carbon nitride-gold nanoparticles (g-CN-Au) nanocomposites from ultrathin g-CN nanosheets and chloroauric acid by using NaBH as a reducing agent under ultrasonication. The nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy etc. The results revealed that the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are uniformly formed on the g-CN nanosheets. Read More

Photochem Photobiol Sci 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy.

Gold-decorated TiO2 nanotubes were used for the photocatalytic abatement of Hg(ii) in aqueous solutions. The presence of dewetted Au nanoparticles induces a strong enhancement of photocatalytic reduction and scavenging performances, with respect to naked TiO2. In the presence of chlorides, a massive formation of Hg2Cl2 nanowires, produced from Au nanoparticles, was observed using highly Au loaded photocatalysts to treat a 10 ppm Hg(ii) solution. Read More

Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Institut de Ciència Molecular, Universitat de València, P.O. Box 22085, 46071 València, Spain.

The electronic-structure properties of the low-lying electronic states and the absorption cross sections (σ(E)) of mercury halides HgCl2, HgBr2, HgI2, HgBrCl, HgClI, and HgBrI have been determined within the UV-vis spectrum range (170 nm ≤ λphoton ≤ 600 nm) by means of the DKH3-MS-CASPT2/SO-RASSI quantum-chemical methodology (with the ANO-RCC basis set) and a semi-classical computational strategy based on nuclear sampling for simulating the band shapes. Computed band energies show a good agreement with the available experimental data for HgX2 with errors around 0.1-0. Read More

ChemistryOpen 2018 Dec 5;7(12):957-968. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Analytical Chemistry; Reference Materials Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) Richard-Willstätter-Str. 11 12489 Berlin Germany.

The synthesis, characterization, and application of mesoporous materials containing boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) moieties that allow the sensitive and selective detection of Hg in aqueous environments by fluorescence enhancement is reported. For this purpose, BODIPY dye containing a thia-aza crown ether receptor as the fluorescent probe for the detection of Hg in aqueous environments is encapsulated into mesoporous materials to avoid self-quenching or aggregation in water. Determination of Hg is accomplished within a few seconds with high selectivity and sensitivity, reaching a limit of detection of 12 ppt. Read More

Microbiol Resour Announc 2018 Sep 13;7(10). Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Plants and Pathogens Group, Research Institute Land Nature and Environment, hepia, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland.

We report here the draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. strain 1239, a bacterium that is potentially usable as a biostimulant for agriculture or in depollution. Its genome encodes resistance to mercury, heavy metals, and several antibiotics. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2018 Dec 3;366:321-328. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Wuhan Senyuan Lantian Environmental Technology Engineering Co Ltd, Wuhan, 430074, China.

A porous carbon was synthesized via hydrothermal carbonization and CO activation. O and SO were successfully co-doped onto carbon surface by applying non-thermal plasma technique. Porous carbon possessing excellent textural properties is effective to adsorb the radicals generated by plasma. Read More