Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Jurgen Gailer
University of Calgary, Canada
Keynote: The bloodstream as a critical site to discover environmental causes for disease
Time : 09:00-09:30
Biography:
Jurgen Gailer received his PhD from Karl-Franzens Universität Graz, Austria in 1997 and then completed Post-doctoral studies at the University of Arizona (Tuscson, US; Erwin Schrödinger Fellow) and the GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health (Munich, Germany; Alexander von Humblodt Fellow). In 2002, he joined Boehringer Ingelheim Austria (Biopharmaceutical Production) where he was Team Leader for the downstream processing. He joined the Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary in 2004 where he currently is an Associate Professor and has a co-appointment in the Environmental Science Program.
Abstract:
Bio-monitoring studies have revealed that various human populations, including children, are exposed to environmentally abundant non-essential metals/metalloid species, such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic. It is unclear, however, if the chronic low level exposure to some of these inorganic pollutants−over a lifetime−may be linked to the etiology of certain human diseases. Since health care costs related to chronic human diseases are increasing, the establishment of functional connections between exposure to inorganic pollutants and diseases is viewed by many as one of the greatest challenges in the post-genomic era. Uncovering the underlying biochemical mechanisms, however, represents a truly monumental task. Conceptually, this quest requires a more detailed understanding of the toxicological interactions of the aforementioned inorganic pollutants in the bloodstream as this ultimately determines which metal species will interact with toxicological target organs. Owing to the inherent complexity that is associated with the analysis of blood, not much is known about the fate of toxic metal species therein. We develop and apply novel analytical tools that can provide new insight to better understand these elusive interactions in blood plasma and red blood cell lysate at the molecular level. An overview of some recent results which highlight the applicability of the developed analytical tools will be presented.
- Aquatic Toxicity | Ecotoxicology | Environmental Stressors | Health Sciences & Risk Assessment
Location: Phoenix, Hall A
Chair
Huiping Huang
National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
Co-Chair
Jihui Yuan
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Session Introduction
Ming-Tsang Wu
Kaohsiung Medicine University, Taiwan
Title: Intake of phthalate-tainted foods and microalbuminuria in children: the 2011 taiwan food scandal
Time : 09:30-09:55
Biography:
Ming-Tsang Wu has completed his MD from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan and PhD from Harvard School of Public Health in the USA. He is a full Professor in the Department of Public Health and the Director in Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medicine University, Taiwan. His major research interest is on the interactive effects of environmental and occupational exposures, genetic factors, and biomarkers on the health outcomes.
Abstract:
A major threat to public health involving phthalate-tainted foodstuffs occurred in Taiwan in 2011. Phthalates, mainly di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), were intentionally added to several categories of food commonly consumed by children. We investigated the relationship between intake of the phthalate-tainted foods and renal function in children. Children aged ≤ 10 years with possible phthalate exposure were enrolled between August 2012 and January 2013. Questionnaires were used to collect details of exposure to phthalate-tainted foodstuffs, and blood and urine samples were collected for clinical biochemical workups. The clinical biomarkers of renal injury, including urinary microalbumin, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and β2-microglobulin, were measured. Exposure was categorized based on recommended tolerable daily intake level defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (0.02 mg/kg/day) and the European Food Safety Authority (0.05 mg/kg/day). We analyzed intake and renal function of 184 children whose intake of DEHP-tainted foods was known. Higher exposure to DEHP-tainted foods was significantly associated with increased risk for microalbuminuria (>3.5 mg/mmol creatinine) (P=0.02). Children in the high exposure group (daily DEHP intake (DDI)>0.05 mg/kg/day) had 10.395 times the risk of microalbuminuria than the low exposure group (DDI≤0.02 and > 0 mg/kg/day) and no exposure groups (95% CI=1.096-98.580, P=0.04) combined after adjustment. We conclude intake of DEHP from phthalate-tainted foods is a potential risk factor for microalbuminuria, a marker of glomerular injury in children. In this talk, I will also present the course of this incident and government response and management of the crisis.
PatrÃcia P B Eichler
Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Brazil
Title: The occurrence of the invasive foraminifera Trochammina hadai (Uchio) in Ubatuba, SP, Brazil
Time : 09:55-10:20
Biography:
Patricia P B Eichler has completed her PhD from São Paulo University in Biological Oceanography and Postdoctoral studies in the Geological Survey and in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment of Delaware University, USA and in the University of Kiel, CAU, Germany. She is a Researcher in two universities in Brazil (Unisul and UFRN) and her expertise is on Foraminifera of recent and paleo-environments of reefs, estuaries, mangroves, rivers, marine shelves and deep-ocean. She has published 25 papers in reputed journals and has been reviewing papers in international magazines.
Abstract:
The estuarine foraminifera Trochammina hadai (Uchio) from Japan was first identified as an invasive species in sediments of San Francisco Bay in 1995. Later it was determined that it first appeared in that bay in 1983, comprising 1.5% of the fauna. However, by 2000, the taxon had been found in 96% of the samples from brackish and marine waters. The proliferation of T. hadai in San Francisco Bay is associated with a decline in relative abundance of one of the most common foraminifera, Elphidium excavatum. The sharp decline of E. excavatum suggests the arrival and proliferation of this species has profoundly influenced the native foraminiferal fauna. The impact T. hadai has had on the microfauna of San Francisco Bay prompted us to investigate other environments outside the US. We began examining foraminiferal distributions to observe populational dynamics and geo-and microhabitats from eighteen sediment surface samples in a small harbor in Saco da Ribeira, Ubatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Previous studies show that this species was not found before 2005. However, samples collected in 2014 provided us with the opportunity to document the existence of T. hadai in at least 80% of the sampled area, which were found alive in the majority of the samples. Following this finding, we intend to investigate when and how this species first arrived in Brazil, if it has expanded in other estuarine and coastal zones and how it is impacting the native fauna.
Tânia Vidal
University of Aveiro, Portugal
Title: Optimization of growth conditions for laboratory and field assessments using immobilized benthic diatoms
Time : 10:20-10:45
Biography:
Tânia Vidal is a young Researcher at the CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) and the Department of Biology (University of Aveiro, Portugal). After concluding her PhD thesis in 2013, her line of research became focused on ecotoxicology studies applied to the water quality evaluation on lotic environments. Presently, she is the PI of the SHIFT project, financed by the Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology, which deals with this oral presentation issue.
Abstract:
Benthic diatoms are key role players at lotic freshwater environments and the lack of availability of rapid and effective methodologies for assessing lotic systems are still quite scarce. The primary goal of this study was to optimize the growth conditions of the sensitive and ubiquous benthic diatom Navicula libonensis for laboratorial and field assessments. The first set of experiments started with testing the effect of different conditions of temperature, photoperiod, initial cell density, test duration and cell encapsulation into calcium alginate. Results showed growth profiles of free versus immobilized cells was fairly variable but a slight increase in growth was observed in free and immobilized cell densities at 23ºC, at lower initial cell densities and at the shortest experimental period (6 days). A second experimental trial involved the validation of selected conditions, applied to the eco-toxicological testing of N. libonensis to two reference chemicals - 3,5-dichlorophenol and potassium dichromate - and a natural stream water besides the synthetic medium. The sensitivity of N. libonensis to standard chemicals spiked in synthetic medium and natural plain stream water was similar for free and immobilized cells. This outcome suggests that N. libonensis may potentially provide reliable responses under direct in situ exposures.
Estrella Nuñez-Zarco
Mexican Center of Innovation in Geothermal Energy, Mexico
Title: Cyanobacteria and diatoms as indicators of geothermal and anthropogenic impact in Los Negritos, Michoacán, México
Time : 11:05-11:30
Biography:
Estrella Azalia Nunez-Zarco has completed her MSc in the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), Mexico. She is Oceanographer from the Faculty of Marine Sciences of UABC and studied her Masters in Management of Arid Ecosystems, Faculty of Science, UABC. She has published a total of 3 papers in reputed journals and has been working at the Center of Investigation and Higher Education of Ensenada and the Mexican Center of Innovation of Geothermal Energy as Biochemical and Microbiology Technician.
Abstract:
Microbial taxonomy and water chemistry analysis for geothermal zone of Los Negritos, Michoacán, Mexico were performed in rain and spring 2015, in order to identify cyanobacteriae and diatoms as bio-indicators of anthropogenic activities and geothermal influence for future environmental monitoring. Water samples were taken to analyze environmental variables. Analysis of 15 metal elements in water samples were determined, cyanobacterias and diatoms were identified by microscopy and DNA 16S in order to relate environment pressures. Physical and chemical analysis indicates basic waters for the zone, recording the highest temperatures in mud geothermal expressions. Sulfate concentration, total dissolved solids, and chloride concentration were the main environmental factors characterizing geothermal pressures. Phosphate and nitrate concentrations were indicators of agricultural and wastewaters loadings in radar and control areas. A total of 16 cyanobacteria species and 8 diatom genera were identified. Crocosphaera watsonii, Planktothrix mougeotii, Eucapsis alpina and Cymbella sp. presented a high correlation with B, Mo, and U values being characteristic of geothermal expressions. Meanwhile, Nostoc microscopicum, Calothrix parietina, Leptolyngbya laminosa, Prochlorococcus marinus, Snowella rosea, and Pinullaria sp. were presented in radar area with high correlation with ions of phosphate, nitrate, and Mg. Chemical analysis determined presence of Ba, V, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb in all water samples, this could indicate possible metal exposure to human population, soil, and economic activities exposed in the zone, more studies of environmental impact assessment must be done to identify different level of environmental risk.
Yannick Belo Nuapia
University of Kinshasa, DR Congo
Title: Presence and distribution of heavy metal in raw food samples from open markets from johannesburg, south africa and kinshasa, democratic republic of South Africa
Time : 11:30-11:55
Biography:
Yannick Belo Nuapia is a Congolese Toxicologist. After completing his graduation as Pharmacist at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Kinshasa in 2010, he moved to South Africa and obtained Master’s degree in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at the University of the Witwatersrand. Since, 2011, he is working as junior Lecture at University of Kinshasa, Faculty of Pharmacy.
Abstract:
Heavy metals in food are still a concern especially in developing countries where legislation is not fully implemented. Thus, this study assessed the distribution and levels of heavy metal in raw food sold in the open markets in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Johannesburg (South Africa). 120 food samples were purchased in the markets in both Kinshasa and Johannesburg. The various food samples constituted of cabbage, beans, beef and fish (tilapia). Ten trace metals: Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn were analyzed in the raw food. The study results revealed that the food collected in the Johannesburg market contained a higher level of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn than the food samples collected in the Kinshasa market. The food from the Kinshasa market, however, contained a higher level of Al than that from the Johannesburg market. Vegetables were found to contain the highest metal values especially cabbage samples from Johannesburg (75.12±5.67, 18.31±3.45, 17.29±2.03, 15.70±1.67, 4.14±1.08, 3.93±0.12 and 1.41±0.97 mgkg-1 for Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd and Se, respectively), and from Kinshasa (52.15±3.45 mgkg-1 for Al). While, fish from Johannesburg showed the highest As and Hg content of 12.04±2.23 and 0.86±0.1 mgkg-1, respectively. The obtained results showed that the concentrations of most studied metals were exceeding the recommended maximum acceptable levels proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food. Thus caution should be exercised especially for those who depend on it on a daily basis.
Chiara Martino
University of Palermo, Italy
Title: Toxicity induced by Gadolinium ions on sea urchin embryos: Comparison among phylogenetically distant species and focus on stress response and skeletogenesis
Time : 11:55-12:20
Biography:
Chiara Martino is currently a PhD student in Cellular Biology at the University of Palermo, Italy. During her PhD, she spent six months at the University of Sydney to compare the effects of marine pollutants between Mediterranean and Australian sea urchin species. Her research interests lie in ecotoxicology, cellular and molecular biology and development. She has published 4 papers in reputed journals and has been a speaker for more than 10 national and international conferences.
Abstract:
Pharmaceuticals are a class of emerging environmental contaminants. Gadolinium (Gd) is a lanthanide metal whose chelates are employed as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, and subsequently released into the aquatic environment. We investigated the effects of exposure to sub-lethal Gd concentrations on the development of four phylogenetically and geographically distant sea urchin species: two Mediterranean, Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula and two from Australia, Heliocidaris tuberculata and Centrostephanus rodgersii. Sensitivity to Gd greatly varied, with EC50 ranging from 56nM to 132 µM across the four species. Measures of the Gd and Ca content inside embryos showed a time- and dose-dependent increase in Gd, in parallel with a reduction in Ca. In all the four species, we observed a general delay of embryo development at 24h post-fertilization and a strong inhibition of skeleton growth at 48h. Further experiments were carried out on P. lividus embryos: RT-PCR gene expression analysis showed the misregulation of several genes implicated both in the skeletogenic and the left-right axis specification networks. WB analysis showed an increase of the LC3 autophagic marker at 24 and 48h. Confocal microscopy studies confirmed the increased number of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes and showed no apoptotic induction. The results show the hazard of Gd in the marine environment, indicating that Gd is able to affect three different levels in sea urchin embryos: morphogenesis, stress response such as autophagy, and gene expression. Results highlight that pollution assays based on only one species can be misleading with respect to hazard risk assessment.
Rafael Gustavo de Lima
Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
Title: A sustainability evaluation framework for science and technology institutes: An international comparative analysis
Time : 12:20-12:45
Biography:
Rafael Gustavo de Lima is currently pursuing Master’s in International Relations from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). He graduated in Foreign Trade in Technology from the International College of Technology (FACINTER / UNINTER), Graduate in International Relations (UFSC) and is graduated in Economics (UFSC). He is today's federal public servant at the Federal University of Santa Catarina and is Head of the Coordination of Course Economics/UFSC.
Abstract:
This research part of the overall objective of identifying the formation of an international regime of sustainability promoted in particular by Institutes of Science and Technology (ICT's), demonstrating the ability construction of internationally shared frames of reference to the theme of sustainability. The existence and the sharing of networks, rules and guidelines to follow international practices reveals the formation of an international sustainability scheme promoted by Institutes of Science and Technology. The research develops and applies a model of sustainability assessment for ICT's that considers the concerns of the regime and, therefore, combines the metric of the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), the A3P (Environmental Agenda in Public Administration) and ISCN - (International Sustainable Campus Network). In this sense, we have the following specific objectives: To determine the conceptual and historical background on sustainability, in order to understand their approach to international relations, relying in particular on the Theory of International Regimes and Theoretical Incursions from other theories of International Relations that can help; combine the above guidelines into a single evaluation model of sustainability (SIAS/ICT); investigate and analyze how sustainability is promoted internationally by Institutes of Science and Technology; and analyzing the results compared in order to evaluate trends and estimate performance rankings. The methodology, in its objectives, is considered descriptive and exploratory. With regard to the technical procedures, it adopts a multi-case study and literature review. In the case of problem approach, the research is qualitative and quantitative. The methodology follows three phases: Theoretical framework and conceptual approaches; proposition of evaluation model of sustainability (subsidized by SICOGEA - Accounting Environmental Management System); multi-case study and comparative analysis of the results. At the end, it is possible to demonstrate the formation of an international sustainability scheme promoted by Institutes of Science and Technology (ICT's), what their effective participation in the regime and, finally, it is possible to achieve an organized quali-quantitative system questions to evaluate sustainability in ICT's, and verify trends, rankings and relative importance of each dimension (economic, social and environmental) for the same modeling. In numbers, the international Institutes of Science and Technology surveyed reflect the attendance of 84.51% of the items arranged in the SIAS/ICT to MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, located in the United States; 92.12% for the ETH-Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, located in Switzerland; and 58.04% for Brazil, composed of 58 national contributions of Institutes of Science and Technology in Southern Brazil (IFSC, IFRS, IFPR).
Eze Chukwuebuka ThankGod
Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
Title: Environmental risk assessment of hospital wastewater in Enugu, Nigeria
Time : 12:45-13:00
Biography:
Eze Chukwuebuka ThankGod is currently a PhD student under ECOWAS sponsorship studying Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. His PhD research focuses on E-waste management in West Africa and its Environmental and Public Health Implications including toxicity testings at different biochemical, histopathological and genotoxic levels in African Cat Fish. He holds a BSc in Biochemistry with Second Class Honors, Upper Division and a MSc in Environmental Management and Toxicology with Distinction from the University of Nigeria Nsukka . He is an Assistant Lecturer in the Environmental Toxicology & Pollution Management Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. He has some journal proceedings to his credit.
Abstract:
The issue of contamination of the environment by hospital and industrial effluent or wastewater has been an issue of concern to the public health of any area where these industries and hospitals are located. This study sets out to determine the level of contamination produced from different hospital wards by the discharge of hospital wastewater at Park Lane General Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. To this end, the microbial load and heavy metal analyses of the hospital wastewater were determined using established procedures. The wastewater samples were collected directly from the outlet of different wards labeled wws1, wws2 and wws3 with pre-cleaned sterile and dried containers. The isolated pathogenic bacteria included both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria species. The result of the microbial analyses showed mean total aerobic bacteria counts of 14.40 ± 0.86 x 1010 cfu/ml, 13.70 ± 0.65 × 107 cfu/ml and 22.8 ± 1.14 ×1010 cfu/ml, for wws1, wws2 and wws3 respectively. The mean total anaerobic bacteria counts gave 6.00 ± 1.60 × 103 cfu/ml, 4.00 ± 2.50× 103 cfu/ml and 1.70 ± 0.41 ×104 cfu/ml for wws1, wws2 and wws3 respectively. The result showed the presence of Candida albican-a pathogenic fungus as the only isolated fungi specie in wws1 and wws3 with a population of 1.70 ± 0.41 x 103 cfu/ml and 2.3 ± 0.16 × 105 cfu/ml respectively. No fungi were isolated from wws2. The varying mean concentrations of the following heavy metal Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury and Chromium were determined and most were found to be within the threshold of the WHO permissible limit of such metal. Therefore, it would be necessary to properly treat hospital wastewater before discharging into the environment to avoid the possible environmental health risk that might be associated with the discharge of such contaminated water. Close monitoring of the heavy metal concentration of the discharge water is also suggested.