• Energy Research

A 67-year-old Caucasian male with lung cancer was presented to the Emergency Department with asthenia, anorexia, jaundice and choluria. The patient's lung cancer was being treated medically by a combination of paclitaxel/carboplatin with bi-monthly frequency. The patient was also self-medicating with several natural products, including Chlorella (520 mg/day), Silybum marianum (total of 13.5 mg silymarin/day), zinc sulphate (5.5 mg), selenium (50 μg) and 15 g/day of Curcuma longa. In first chemotherapy cycle no toxicity was observed even he was taking other medications as budesonide and sitagliptin. The toxic events started only after the introduction of the dietary products. Chlorella had contamination with cyanobacteria (Oscillatoriales) and 1.08 μg of cyanotoxin Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) per gram of biomass was found. Patient was consuming ca 0.01 μg MC-LR/kg/day. This case report describes the first known case of paclitaxel toxicity probably related to pharmacokinetic interaction with Turmeric and a contaminated Chlorella supplement resulting in an acute toxic hepatitis and the impact on oncologic patient health.

Cyanobacteria blooms are frequent in freshwaters and are responsible for water quality deterioration and human intoxication. Although, not a new phenomenon, concern exists on the increasing persistence, scale, and toxicity of these blooms. There is evidence, in recent years, of the transfer of these toxins from inland to marine waters through freshwater outflow. However, the true impact of these blooms in marine habitats has been overlooked. In the present work, we describe the detection of Planktothrix agardhii, which is a common microcystin producer, in the Portuguese marine coastal waters nearby a river outfall in an area used for shellfish harvesting and recreational activities. P. agardhii was first observed in November of 2016 in seawater samples that are in the scope of the national shellfish monitoring system. This occurrence was followed closely between November and December of 2016 by a weekly sampling of mussels and water from the sea pier and adjacent river mouth with salinity ranging from 35 to 3. High cell densities were found in the water from both sea pier and river outfall, reaching concentrations of 4,960,608 cells·L−1 and 6810.3 × 106 cells·L−1 respectively. Cultures were also established with success from the environment and microplate salinity growth assays showed that the isolates grew at salinity 10. HPLC-PDA analysis of total microcystin content in mussel tissue, water biomass, and P. agardhii cultures did not retrieve a positive result. In addition, microcystin related genes were not detected in the water nor cultures. So, the P. agardhii present in the environment was probably a non-toxic strain. This is, to our knowledge, the first report on a P. agardhii bloom reaching the sea and points to the relevance to also monitoring freshwater harmful phytoplankton and related toxins in seafood harvesting and recreational coastal areas, particularly under the influence of river plumes.

Les proliférations d'algues nuisibles cyanobactériennes (CyanoHABs) menacent la santé publique et les écosystèmes d'eau douce dans le monde entier. Dans cette étude, notre objectif principal était d'explorer la dynamique des proliférations cyanobactériennes et comment les microcystines (MC) se déplacent du réservoir de Lalla Takerkoust vers les fermes voisines. Nous avons utilisé l'imagerie Landsat, l'analyse moléculaire, la collecte et l'analyse de données physico-chimiques et l'évaluation des toxines à l'aide de la CLHP. Notre enquête a identifié deux espèces cyanobactériennes responsables des efflorescences : Microcystis sp. et Synechococcus sp. Notre souche Microcystis a produit trois variants MC (MC-RR, MC-YR et MC-LR), le MC-RR présentant les concentrations les plus élevées en toxines dissoutes et intracellulaires. En revanche, notre souche Synechococcus n'a produit aucune toxine détectable. Pour valider nos résultats de l'indice de végétation à différence normalisée (NDVI), nous avons utilisé des données limnologiques, y compris le nombre de cellules d'algues, et quantifié les MC dans des échantillons de fleurs de Microcystis lyophilisés prélevés dans le réservoir. Notre étude a révélé des modèles et des tendances dans la prolifération des cyanobactéries dans le réservoir sur 30 ans et a présenté une carte historique de la zone d'infestation des cyanobactéries en utilisant la méthode NDVI. L'étude a révélé que le MC-LR s'accumule près de la surface de l'eau en raison de la flottabilité de Microcystis. La concentration maximale de MC-LR dans l'eau du réservoir était de 160 µgL−1. En revanche, 4 km en aval du réservoir, la concentration a diminué d'un facteur de 5,39 à 29,63 µgL −1, indiquant une diminution de la concentration de MC-LR avec l'augmentation de la distance de la source de floraison. De même, la concentration de MC-YR a diminué d'un facteur de 2,98 pour la même distance. Fait intéressant, la distribution des MC variait avec la profondeur, le MC-LR dominant à la surface de l'eau et le MC-YR à la sortie du réservoir à une profondeur de 10 m. Nos résultats mettent en évidence l'impact des concentrations en nutriments, des facteurs environnementaux et des processus de transfert sur la dynamique de la floraison et la distribution des MC. Nous soulignons la nécessité de stratégies de gestion efficaces pour minimiser le transfert de toxines et assurer la santé et la sécurité publiques. Las floraciones de algas nocivas para las cianobacterias (CyanoHAB) amenazan la salud pública y los ecosistemas de agua dulce en todo el mundo. En este estudio, nuestro objetivo principal fue explorar la dinámica de las floraciones de cianobacterias y cómo las microcistinas (MC) se mueven desde el embalse de Lalla Takerkoust a las granjas cercanas. Utilizamos imágenes Landsat, análisis molecular, recopilación y análisis de datos fisicoquímicos y evaluación de toxinas mediante HPLC. Nuestra investigación identificó dos especies de cianobacterias responsables de las floraciones: Microcystis sp. y Synechococcus sp. Nuestra cepa Microcystis produjo tres variantes de MC (MC-RR, MC-YR y MC-LR), presentando MC-RR las concentraciones más altas en toxinas disueltas e intracelulares. Por el contrario, nuestra cepa de Synechococcus no produjo ninguna toxina detectable. Para validar nuestros resultados del Índice de Vegetación de Diferencia Normalizada (NDVI), utilizamos datos limnológicos, incluidos los recuentos de células de algas, y cuantificamos los MC en muestras de floración de Microcystis liofilizadas recolectadas del reservorio. Nuestro estudio reveló patrones y tendencias en la proliferación de cianobacterias en el reservorio durante 30 años y presentó un mapa histórico del área de infestación de cianobacterias utilizando el método NDVI. El estudio encontró que MC-LR se acumula cerca de la superficie del agua debido a la flotabilidad de Microcystis. La concentración máxima de MC-LR en el agua del depósito fue de 160 µgL−1. Por el contrario, a 4 km aguas abajo del reservorio, la concentración disminuyó en un factor de 5.39 a 29.63 µgL −1, lo que indica una disminución en la concentración de MC-LR con el aumento de la distancia desde la fuente de floración. Del mismo modo, la concentración de MC-YR disminuyó en un factor de 2,98 para la misma distancia. Curiosamente, la distribución de MC varió con la profundidad, con MC-LR dominando en la superficie del agua y MC-YR en la salida del depósito a una profundidad de agua de 10 m. Nuestros hallazgos destacan el impacto de las concentraciones de nutrientes, los factores ambientales y los procesos de transferencia en la dinámica de la floración y la distribución de MC. Hacemos hincapié en la necesidad de contar con estrategias de gestión eficaces para minimizar la transferencia de toxinas y garantizar la salud y la seguridad públicas. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) threaten public health and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. In this study, our main goal was to explore the dynamics of cyanobacterial blooms and how microcystins (MCs) move from the Lalla Takerkoust reservoir to the nearby farms. We used Landsat imagery, molecular analysis, collecting and analyzing physicochemical data, and assessing toxins using HPLC. Our investigation identified two cyanobacterial species responsible for the blooms: Microcystis sp. and Synechococcus sp. Our Microcystis strain produced three MC variants (MC-RR, MC-YR, and MC-LR), with MC-RR exhibiting the highest concentrations in dissolved and intracellular toxins. In contrast, our Synechococcus strain did not produce any detectable toxins. To validate our Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) results, we utilized limnological data, including algal cell counts, and quantified MCs in freeze-dried Microcystis bloom samples collected from the reservoir. Our study revealed patterns and trends in cyanobacterial proliferation in the reservoir over 30 years and presented a historical map of the area of cyanobacterial infestation using the NDVI method. The study found that MC-LR accumulates near the water surface due to the buoyancy of Microcystis. The maximum concentration of MC-LR in the reservoir water was 160 µgL−1. In contrast, 4 km downstream of the reservoir, the concentration decreased by a factor of 5.39 to 29.63 µgL−1, indicating a decrease in MC-LR concentration with increasing distance from the bloom source. Similarly, the MC-YR concentration decreased by a factor of 2.98 for the same distance. Interestingly, the MC distribution varied with depth, with MC-LR dominating at the water surface and MC-YR at the reservoir outlet at a water depth of 10 m. Our findings highlight the impact of nutrient concentrations, environmental factors, and transfer processes on bloom dynamics and MC distribution. We emphasize the need for effective management strategies to minimize toxin transfer and ensure public health and safety. تهدد أزهار الطحالب الضارة بالبكتيريا الزرقاء (CyanoHABs) الصحة العامة والنظم الإيكولوجية للمياه العذبة في جميع أنحاء العالم. في هذه الدراسة، كان هدفنا الرئيسي هو استكشاف ديناميكيات إزهار البكتيريا الزرقاء وكيفية انتقال الميكروسيستين (MCs) من خزان Lalla Takerkoust إلى المزارع القريبة. استخدمنا صور لاندسات، والتحليل الجزيئي، وجمع وتحليل البيانات الفيزيائية والكيميائية، وتقييم السموم باستخدام HPLC. حدد تحقيقنا نوعين من البكتيريا الزرقاء المسؤولة عن الإزهار: Microcystis sp. و Synechococcus sp. أنتجت سلالة Microcystis لدينا ثلاثة متغيرات MC (MC - RR و MC - YR و MC - LR)، حيث أظهرت MC - RR أعلى تركيزات في السموم الذائبة وداخل الخلايا. في المقابل، لم تنتج سلالة المكورات الحلقية لدينا أي سموم يمكن اكتشافها. للتحقق من صحة نتائج مؤشر الاختلاف الطبيعي للغطاء النباتي (NDVI)، استخدمنا بيانات ليمنولوجية، بما في ذلك عدد الخلايا الطحلبية، و MCs المحددة كمياً في عينات تكاثر Microcystis المجففة بالتجميد التي تم جمعها من الخزان. كشفت دراستنا عن أنماط واتجاهات في انتشار البكتيريا الزرقاء في الخزان على مدى 30 عامًا وقدمت خريطة تاريخية لمنطقة الإصابة بالبكتيريا الزرقاء باستخدام طريقة NDVI. وجدت الدراسة أن MC - LR يتراكم بالقرب من سطح الماء بسبب طفو Microcystis. كان الحد الأقصى لتركيز MC - LR في مياه الخزان 160 ميكروغرام لتر -1. على النقيض من ذلك، على بعد 4 كم أسفل مجرى الخزان، انخفض التركيز بعامل من 5.39 إلى 29.63 ميكروغرام من اللتر −1، مما يشير إلى انخفاض في تركيز MC - LR مع زيادة المسافة من مصدر الإزهار. وبالمثل، انخفض تركيز MC - YR بعامل 2.98 لنفس المسافة. ومن المثير للاهتمام أن توزيع MC اختلف مع العمق، حيث سيطر MC - LR على سطح الماء و MC - YR عند مخرج الخزان على عمق 10 أمتار. تسلط النتائج التي توصلنا إليها الضوء على تأثير تركيزات المغذيات والعوامل البيئية وعمليات النقل على ديناميكيات الإزهار وتوزيع MC. نؤكد على الحاجة إلى استراتيجيات إدارة فعالة لتقليل نقل السموم وضمان الصحة والسلامة العامة.

The intensification of agricultural productivity is an important challenge worldwide. However, environmental stressors can provide challenges to this intensification. The progressive occurrence of the cyanotoxins cylindrospermopsin (CYN) and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) as a potential consequence of eutrophication and climate change is of increasing concern in the agricultural sector because it has been reported that these cyanotoxins exert harmful effects in crop plants. A proteomic-based approach has been shown to be a suitable tool for the detection and identification of the primary responses of organisms exposed to cyanotoxins. The aim of this study was to compare the leaf-proteome profiles of lettuce plants exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of CYN and a MC-LR/CYN mixture. Lettuce plants were exposed to 1, 10, and 100 μg/l CYN and a MC-LR/CYN mixture for five days. The proteins of lettuce leaves were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and those that were differentially abundant were then identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). The biological functions of the proteins that were most represented in both experiments were photosynthesis and carbon metabolism and stress/defense response. Proteins involved in protein synthesis and signal transduction were also highly observed in the MC-LR/CYN experiment. Although distinct protein abundance patterns were observed in both experiments, the effects appear to be concentration-dependent, and the effects of the mixture were clearly stronger than those of CYN alone. The obtained results highlight the putative tolerance of lettuce to CYN at concentrations up to 100 μg/l. Furthermore, the combination of CYN with MC-LR at low concentrations (1 μg/l) stimulated a significant increase in the fresh weight (fr. wt) of lettuce leaves and at the proteomic level resulted in the increase in abundance of a high number of proteins. In contrast, many proteins exhibited a decrease in abundance or were absent in the gels of the simultaneous exposure to 10 and 100 μg/l MC-LR/CYN. In the latter, also a significant decrease in the fr. wt of lettuce leaves was obtained. These findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms of the lettuce response to CYN and MC-LR/CYN and may contribute to the identification of potential protein markers of exposure and proteins that may confer tolerance to CYN and MC-LR/CYN. Furthermore, because lettuce is an important crop worldwide, this study may improve our understanding of the potential impact of these cyanotoxins on its quality traits (e.g., presence of allergenic proteins).