In early February 1996 severe lead intoxication in humans was reported from a rural area of Alban... more In early February 1996 severe lead intoxication in humans was reported from a rural area of Albania. An entire family of 5 individuals was involved and 2 of them died. The origin of the poisoning was lead-contaminated flour used by the family on a regular basis in their diet. The flour lead levels ranged between 550 to 800 ppm. Following 2 days of treatment with EDTA-Ca the blood lead concentration in survivors varied between 16 and 58 micrograms/dL blood.
INTRODUCTION: Many trace elements play important roles in activating or inhibiting enzymatic reac... more INTRODUCTION: Many trace elements play important roles in activating or inhibiting enzymatic reactions, by competing with other elements and metal proteins for binding sites, by affecting the permeability of cell membranes and by other mechanisms. They play important roles in the oxidant/antioxidant balance. As such, trace elements are thought to be involved directly or indirectly in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Free radicals have harmful effects on cells and tissues and are thought to be responsible for the pathogenesis of many diseases. Trace elements are required for the antioxidant enzymes and hence the optimal function of the immune system. Changes in the levels of these elements may lead to a reduction in antioxidant activities in various diseases. The aim of this survey is to put in evidence possible alterations of copper, zinc and selenium status in patients suffering by oxidative stress caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated s...
In the framework of CARISMA project – which aims to assess the quality of the Southern Adriatic S... more In the framework of CARISMA project – which aims to assess the quality of the Southern Adriatic Sea area between Italy (Apulia) and Albania, and the impact due to the use of antifouling paints – a preliminary survey in ports and marinas along coastal areas of both countries was conducted. Chemical analyses were complemented with ecotoxicological assays. In addition, in order to assess potential adverse ecological effects posed by selected antifouling agents on non-target marine organisms, Ecological Risk Assessment was applied
Ports and harbors may represent a threat for coastal ecosystems due to pollutant inputs, especial... more Ports and harbors may represent a threat for coastal ecosystems due to pollutant inputs, especially those derived from maritime activities. In this study, we report a first assessment of the ecotoxicological threat posed by six ports and harbors of opposite coastal regions, Apulia and Albania, in the southern Adriatic Sea (Italy). A bioassay battery consisting of four different species representing different trophic levels, algae Dunaliella tertiolecta, bacteria Vibrio fischeri, crustacean Artemia salina, and echinoids Paracentrotus lividus, has been used to assess sediment elutriates, pore waters, and sediment suspensions. Two different approaches of toxicity data integration, worst case and integrated index, have been used to determine the most appropriate procedure for the investigated sites. All sites with the worst case approach showed high toxicity levels. The chronic test with algae was the most sensitive identifying the highest effects in the battery. This effect can be attributable to contaminants derived from antifouling paints. The sediments, evaluated with V. fischeri test, often showed toxicity not found in the aqueous matrices of the same sites and that can be mainly linked to organic compounds. The test battery used in this study allowed us to perform a preliminary screening of the ecotoxicological risk of the studied area. In fact, the species utilized for toxicity tests responded differently to the investigated samples, showing different sensitivity. The test battery integrated index did not allow highlighting the differences among the sites and showed a general high ecotoxicological risk. A larger number of tests with higher sensitivity together with a tailored attribution of weights to endpoints and matrices will improve the final site evaluation.
The harmful effects of antifouling biocides in Southern Adriatic Sea water have been evaluated co... more The harmful effects of antifouling biocides in Southern Adriatic Sea water have been evaluated combining different and complementary methodologies thus allowing a deep and robust interpretation of the data.
... As the official meeting of the Coastal Education & Research Foundation [CERF], we... more ... As the official meeting of the Coastal Education & Research Foundation [CERF], we cordially invite all ... or sign up For a CERF Membership and Receive 2 Free JCR Special Issues! ... T. Benincasa, and S. Focardi (2011) Ecotoxicological Assessment of Vlora Bay (Albania) by a ...
Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal, 1993
In May and June of 1988, the spirometric lung function of 604 children, who were aged 7-13 y and ... more In May and June of 1988, the spirometric lung function of 604 children, who were aged 7-13 y and who were free of chronic respiratory conditions, was measured in the urban core and a suburb of Wuhan, China. During 1981-1988, ambient total suspended particulate (TSP) levels averaged 481 micrograms/m3 in the urban core and 167 micrograms/m3 in the suburb. In 1988, TSP levels, measured within 500 m of the children's homes, averaged 251 micrograms/m3 in the urban core and 110 micrograms/m3 in the suburb. Levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides were also higher in the urban core. Proportions of families who burned coal and gas domestically were similar in both areas. In linear and logarithmic regression models, height was a stronger determinant of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s than was age or weight. In linear models, the proportion of variance explained by height (R-squared) ranged from 0.54 for urban females' forced expiratory volume in 1 s to 0.77 for suburban males and females. Both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were consistently lower in urban than suburban children. The average forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s in children 132-144 cm tall were 6.7% and 3.8% lower, respectively, in the urban core than the suburb; suburban-urban differences increased with height. Suburban-urban differences in slopes of lung function growth curves were statistically significant for forced vital capacity but not for forced expiratory volume in 1 s. Rates of clinical upper respiratory irritation were also generally elevated in urban children. These results strongly suggest that urban ambient air pollution exposure in China contributes to retardation in the growth of children's lung function. Confirmatory longitudinal studies are in progress in Wuhan and three other Chinese cities.
In early February 1996 severe lead intoxication in humans was reported from a rural area of Alban... more In early February 1996 severe lead intoxication in humans was reported from a rural area of Albania. An entire family of 5 individuals was involved and 2 of them died. The origin of the poisoning was lead-contaminated flour used by the family on a regular basis in their diet. The flour lead levels ranged between 550 to 800 ppm. Following 2 days of treatment with EDTA-Ca the blood lead concentration in survivors varied between 16 and 58 micrograms/dL blood.
INTRODUCTION: Many trace elements play important roles in activating or inhibiting enzymatic reac... more INTRODUCTION: Many trace elements play important roles in activating or inhibiting enzymatic reactions, by competing with other elements and metal proteins for binding sites, by affecting the permeability of cell membranes and by other mechanisms. They play important roles in the oxidant/antioxidant balance. As such, trace elements are thought to be involved directly or indirectly in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Free radicals have harmful effects on cells and tissues and are thought to be responsible for the pathogenesis of many diseases. Trace elements are required for the antioxidant enzymes and hence the optimal function of the immune system. Changes in the levels of these elements may lead to a reduction in antioxidant activities in various diseases. The aim of this survey is to put in evidence possible alterations of copper, zinc and selenium status in patients suffering by oxidative stress caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated s...
In the framework of CARISMA project – which aims to assess the quality of the Southern Adriatic S... more In the framework of CARISMA project – which aims to assess the quality of the Southern Adriatic Sea area between Italy (Apulia) and Albania, and the impact due to the use of antifouling paints – a preliminary survey in ports and marinas along coastal areas of both countries was conducted. Chemical analyses were complemented with ecotoxicological assays. In addition, in order to assess potential adverse ecological effects posed by selected antifouling agents on non-target marine organisms, Ecological Risk Assessment was applied
Ports and harbors may represent a threat for coastal ecosystems due to pollutant inputs, especial... more Ports and harbors may represent a threat for coastal ecosystems due to pollutant inputs, especially those derived from maritime activities. In this study, we report a first assessment of the ecotoxicological threat posed by six ports and harbors of opposite coastal regions, Apulia and Albania, in the southern Adriatic Sea (Italy). A bioassay battery consisting of four different species representing different trophic levels, algae Dunaliella tertiolecta, bacteria Vibrio fischeri, crustacean Artemia salina, and echinoids Paracentrotus lividus, has been used to assess sediment elutriates, pore waters, and sediment suspensions. Two different approaches of toxicity data integration, worst case and integrated index, have been used to determine the most appropriate procedure for the investigated sites. All sites with the worst case approach showed high toxicity levels. The chronic test with algae was the most sensitive identifying the highest effects in the battery. This effect can be attributable to contaminants derived from antifouling paints. The sediments, evaluated with V. fischeri test, often showed toxicity not found in the aqueous matrices of the same sites and that can be mainly linked to organic compounds. The test battery used in this study allowed us to perform a preliminary screening of the ecotoxicological risk of the studied area. In fact, the species utilized for toxicity tests responded differently to the investigated samples, showing different sensitivity. The test battery integrated index did not allow highlighting the differences among the sites and showed a general high ecotoxicological risk. A larger number of tests with higher sensitivity together with a tailored attribution of weights to endpoints and matrices will improve the final site evaluation.
The harmful effects of antifouling biocides in Southern Adriatic Sea water have been evaluated co... more The harmful effects of antifouling biocides in Southern Adriatic Sea water have been evaluated combining different and complementary methodologies thus allowing a deep and robust interpretation of the data.
... As the official meeting of the Coastal Education & Research Foundation [CERF], we... more ... As the official meeting of the Coastal Education & Research Foundation [CERF], we cordially invite all ... or sign up For a CERF Membership and Receive 2 Free JCR Special Issues! ... T. Benincasa, and S. Focardi (2011) Ecotoxicological Assessment of Vlora Bay (Albania) by a ...
Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal, 1993
In May and June of 1988, the spirometric lung function of 604 children, who were aged 7-13 y and ... more In May and June of 1988, the spirometric lung function of 604 children, who were aged 7-13 y and who were free of chronic respiratory conditions, was measured in the urban core and a suburb of Wuhan, China. During 1981-1988, ambient total suspended particulate (TSP) levels averaged 481 micrograms/m3 in the urban core and 167 micrograms/m3 in the suburb. In 1988, TSP levels, measured within 500 m of the children's homes, averaged 251 micrograms/m3 in the urban core and 110 micrograms/m3 in the suburb. Levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides were also higher in the urban core. Proportions of families who burned coal and gas domestically were similar in both areas. In linear and logarithmic regression models, height was a stronger determinant of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s than was age or weight. In linear models, the proportion of variance explained by height (R-squared) ranged from 0.54 for urban females' forced expiratory volume in 1 s to 0.77 for suburban males and females. Both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were consistently lower in urban than suburban children. The average forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s in children 132-144 cm tall were 6.7% and 3.8% lower, respectively, in the urban core than the suburb; suburban-urban differences increased with height. Suburban-urban differences in slopes of lung function growth curves were statistically significant for forced vital capacity but not for forced expiratory volume in 1 s. Rates of clinical upper respiratory irritation were also generally elevated in urban children. These results strongly suggest that urban ambient air pollution exposure in China contributes to retardation in the growth of children's lung function. Confirmatory longitudinal studies are in progress in Wuhan and three other Chinese cities.
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Papers by Afrim Tabaku