Biological assessment of contaminated shooting range soil using earthworm biomarkers

Ecotoxicology - Environmental contamination at shooting ranges is a widely known ecological problem. The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent of contamination and the ecotoxicity of a...     

Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity response to environmentally relevant complex metal mixture (Zn,Cu, Ni,Cr, Pb,Cd) accumulated in Atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis>). Part I: importance of exposure time and tissue dependence

Health impact of metal mixture at environment realistic concentrations are difficult to predict especially for long-term effects where cause-and-effect relationships may not be directly obvious. This study was aimed to evaluate metal mixture (Zn—0.1, Cu—0.01, Ni—0.01, Cr—0.01, Pb—0.005 and Cd—0.005?mg/L, respectively for 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days at concentrations accepted for the inland waters in EU) genotoxicity (micronuclei, nuclear buds, nuclear buds on filament), cytotoxicity (8-shaped nuclei, fragmented-apoptotic erythrocytes), bioaccumulation, steady-state and the reference level of geno-cytotoxicity in hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon tissues. Metals accumulated mostly in gills and kidneys, to the lesser extent in the muscle. Uptake of metals from an entire mixture in the fish for 14 days is sufficient to reach steady-state Cr, Pb concentrations in all tissues; Zn, Cu—in kidneys and muscle, Ni—in liver, kidneys, muscle and Cd—in muscle. Treatment with metal mixture significantly increased summed genotoxicity levels at 7 days of exposure in peripheral blood and liver erythrocytes, at 14 days of exposure in gills and kidney erythrocytes. Significant elevation of cytotoxicity was detected after 2 and 14 days of exposure in gills erythrocytes and after 28 days—in peripheral blood erythrocytes. The amount of Cu, Cr, Pb and Cd accumulated in tissues was dependent upon duration of exposure; nuclear buds, 8-shaped nuclei frequencies also were dependent upon duration of exposure. This study indicates that metals at low levels when existing in mixture causes significant geno-cytotoxicity responses and metals bioaccumulation in salmon.     

Extension and flexion torque variability in ACL deficiency

Purpose  

To evaluate possible differences in knee extension and flexion torque variability in the anterior cruciate ligament—deficient (ACLD) leg and their dependence on muscle length and visual feedback (VF). Although a knee extension torque deficit is found in the ACLD leg, there is no evidence that variability in submaximal isometric knee extension and flexion torque is affected in the ACLD leg or that it depends on VF.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Different Body Tissues of Atlantic Salmon,Salmo salar L., Exposed to a Model Mixture (Cu,Zn, Ni,Cr, Pb,Cd) and Singly to Nickel,Chromium, and Lead

One-year-old Atlantic salmon smolts were exposed for 2 weeks either to six priority heavy metal mixture or to Ni, Pb, and Cr singly at a concentration corresponding to Lithuanian inland water standards: Cu – 0.01, Zn – 0.1, Ni – 0.01, Cr – 0.01, Cd – 0.005 and Pb – 0.005 mg/L, respectively under semi-static conditions. The presence of metal mixture in the water only partly (by 50 %) affected the accumulation of single metals in body tissues (muscle, gills, liver and kidneys) probably due to the synergistic interactions among metals. Although metal concentrations increased in most cases, only Pb exceeded recommended level for human consumption (0.2 Pb mg/L) by 1.1-fold to 2.1-fold.     

Response patterns of biomarkers in omnivorous and carnivorous fish species exposed to multicomponent metal (Cd,Cr, Cu,Ni, Pb and Zn) mixture. Part III

Ecotoxicology - Toxicity to fish of multicomponent metal mixtures at maximum-permissible-concentrations (MPC: Cd—0.005, Cr—0.01, Cu—0.01, Ni—0.01, Pb—0.005 and...     

Associations between neck musculoskeletal complaints and work related factors among public service computer workers in Kaunas

Objectives

Information technologies have been developing very rapidly, also in the case of occupational activities. Epidemiological studies have shown that employees, who work with computers, are more likely to complain of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between neck MSD and individual and work related factors.

Materials and Methods

The investigation which consisted of two parts — a questionnaire study (using Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) and a direct observation (to evaluate ergonomic work environment using RULA method) was carried out in three randomly selected public sector companies of Kaunas. The study population consisted of 513 public service office workers.

Results

The survey showed that neck MSDs were very common in the investigated population. The prevalence rate amounted to 65.7%. According to our survey neck MSDs were significantly associated with older age, bigger work experience, high quantitative and cognitive job demands, working for longer than 2 h without taking a break as well as with higher ergonomic risk score. The fully adjusted model working for longer than 2 h without taking a break had the strongest associations with neck complaints.

Conclusion

It was confirmed, that neck MSDs were significantly associated with individual factors as well as conditions of work, therefore, preventive actions against neck complaints should be oriented at psychosocial and ergonomic work environment as well as at individual factors.     

Assessment of Toxicity to Earthworm Eisenia fetida of Lead Contaminated Shooting Range Soils with Different Properties

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - The objective of the study was to evaluate the toxicity of trace elements to earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in recreational and military...