World Congress on Environmental Toxicology and Health July 11-12, 2018 Sydney, Australia

Biography:

Chuixiang Yi has served as an Associate Professor at Beijing Normal University, China. He has accumulated 10 years of Post-doctoral research experiences in the USA across many campuses, including UC, Berkeley, University of Minnesota, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Colorado. He is presently an Associate Professor at Queens College, City University of New York. He is a Micrometeorologist and Theoretical Modeler studying how climate change affects the carbon cycle and ultimately how these changes to the carbon cycle may alter our environment and further alter our climate in the future.

 

 

Abstract:

Measuring forest resilience and exploring tipping point behavior

Forests provide an important ecological service by partially balancing the global carbon budget, sequestering about one quarter of anthropogenic emissions (2.4 GT C per year). However, several forest biomes are subject to increasing stress and tree mortality due to invasive pests, drought and fire and these appear to be exacerbated by climate change. A question arising for forest managers and policy makers is how to anticipate and deal with the acceleration of forest stress and mortality with on-going warming climate. To provide a baseline to which anticipated changes may be compared. We will attempt to answer the following questions: (1) how can we quantify and measure forest resilience to climate related stresses? (2) what trends or patterns in climate are indicative of sufficient stress as to push forests past a key control to forest tipping point leading to a change in the type of ecosystem? and (3) can we define such tipping point behaviors of forests? We have explored these questions by using tree-ring data, remote sensing images, eddy flux tower data and nonlinear stability theory. Here we report some initial results along with the pilot-studies.

 

Biography:

Shyam Manohar is a Professor of Environmental Science at Kenyatta University, Kenya and has obtained his PhD (1974) from Institute of Science, University of Bombay He has completed his BSc majoring in Botany, Chemistry and Zoology, MSc (Botany) from University of Meerut, India and was a Senior Scientific Officer at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. He has conducted research on floristic and phyto-sociological studies of the north and south arid and semi-arid regions of India.

 

 

Abstract:

Physicochemical parameters and planktonic diatoms as indicators of toxicity in surface water body, Nairobi Dam, Kenya

Clean air, water and food are natural God given gifts to all humans and also to all micro and macro-organisms inhabiting on this living planet. If one of these necessities is contaminated with chemicals more than the tolerance level(s) become toxic and create serious health problems for life. Water quality of any natural or manmade aquatic ecosystem mainly depends on the type(s), density and frequency of organism’s species composition, growth, productivity, distribution and stratification; seasonal water level fluctuations, flow rate, number of inlets and outlets with volume of water; interactions between biological, physical, geology; types of chemical(s) contamination, their characteristics and anthropogenic activities within surroundings of freshwater resource(s). Planktonic species and physicochemical parameters were studied within Nairobi Dam at five selected sampling stations (S1 to S5) during dry season from June to September 2017. There are 15 genus which are Amphora, Aulacoseira, Closterium, Cyclotella, Cymbella, Diatoma, Fragillaria, Gomphocymbella, Navicula, Nitzschia, Peridinium, Pinnularia, Stephomodiscus, Surillela and Synedra composed of 23 planktonic species. Out of four species of the genus Nitzschia, three species N. lucastris, N. palea, N. recta together with Cymbella cistula and Diatoma hiemiale have 100% frequency and well adapted within wide range of high nutrient levels in all samples but Nitzschia subacicularis appeared with 60% frequency. Other five genus with two species each are Aulacoseira ambigua, A. schroidera; Cyclotella ocellata, C. kutzinghiana; Diatoma elongatum; D. hiemiale; Fragillaria aethiopica; F. longissimi; Synedra cunningtonii, S. ulna but another nine genus with single species are Amphora ovaris, Ceratium sp., Gomphocymbella beccari, Peridinium sp., Cymbella cistula, Navicula granatum, Pinnularia viridis, Stephomodiscus astraca and Surillela ovalis. Mean monthly values of selected physicochemical parameters are: temperature 25.44±0.63 ^oC, flow rate 2.38±0.07 km/h, pH 8..36±0.13, dissolved oxygen 2.95±0.6 mg/l, electrical conductivity 671.43±222.2 µs/cm, Turbidity 113.13±13.86 NTU, carbonates 146.91±25.64 mg/l, total nitrogen 654.97±214.6 µg/l, total Phosphorus 990.95±27.24 µg/l, Sulfates 12.51±0.82 mg/l and chlorides 10.31±0.83 mg/l. Study revealed that only pH, dissolved oxygen and carbonates show significant difference (p≤0.05) in Nairobi Dam water but rest of physicochemical levels of conductivity, turbidity, total nitrogen, total phosphates, sulfates and chlorides are higher than recommended levels in drinking water according to EU, WHO and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Based on the results, it is concluded that water is hard and due to high nitrogen level it limits the oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells and infants may suffer with methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) health problem and even noncarbonated hardness due to presence of high levels of Cl₂, SO₄ and NO_3, the water of the dam is slightly toxic. Therefore, without proper municipal water treatment system, it must not be supplied to human population, for animal drinking and should not be used even for aquaculture. During field observations, color, odor, presence of planktonic species, their density and frequency should be used as bio-indicator for quick water quality assessment of freshwater ecosystem(s).

 

Biography:

Wondalem Misganaw Golie has completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India in October 2017. His research interest includes separation and purification technology, reaction engineering, environmental engineering, environmental chemistry, environmental biotechnology, pollution control, water and wastewater treatment, adsorption and bio-sorption, applications of biopolymers, biocomposites and smart materials in environmental engineering.

 

Abstract:

Health risks associated with high level of nitrate in water and its removal by adsorption on organic-inorganic hybrid bio-composites

Anthropologic activities including industrialization and agricultural practices contributed immeasurably to the imbalances in the nitrogen cycle and resulted in alarmingly increased levels of nitrate in drinking water sources and other water bodies, imposing a serious threat to human health and contributing to eutrophication. High nitrate concentrations in drinking water sources can lead to a potential risk to public health causing methaemoglobinaemia and cancer. Among the unit operations in water treatment, adsorption occupies an important position since it is an efficient and economically feasible process for nitrate removal from water. Chitosan is the promising adsorbent material due to low cost, biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. In this study, chitosan based organic-inorganic hybrid bio-composites, such as chitosan/bentonite, chitosan/titanium oxide and chitosan/alumina (ChBT, ChTi and ChAl, respectively) were prepared and characterized. Stability of bio-composites significantly increased with crosslinker and inorganic dosage. Adsorption capacities considerably decreased at higher crosslinker dosage. The rate of adsorption rates were higher at the initial stages and decreased in the later stages due to the decrease in concentration gradient with time and equilibrium adsorption was established beyond 120 min. The adsorption capacity increased drastically with the increase in initial nitrate concentration. Higher equilibrium adsorption capacities were obtained in the pH range of 4-8. At optimum operating conditions, the actual adsorption capacities of ChBT, ChTi and ChAl were 35.68 and 43.62, and 45.38 mg/g as nitrate, respectively. Adsorption capacities increased with the increased temperature in the range 283 K to 313 K and decreased above 313 K. Regeneration study shows ChBT, ChTi and ChAl reusable adsorbent to nitrate removal from water. Among the three adsorbents, ChAl has shown highest stability and performance in all operating conditions.

Biography:

Sergey Suchkov has obtained his PhD and Doctor’s degree and later was working for Helmholtz Eye Research Institute and Moscow Regional Clinical Research Institute.

 

Abstract:

Personalized and Precision Medicine (PPM) as a model of healthcare of the newest generation towards translational applications to move ahead as a global international team

A new systems approach to diseased states and wellness result in a new branch in the healthcare services, namely, Personalized Medicine (PM). To achieve the implementation of PM concept into the daily practice including clinical cardiology, it is necessary to create a fundamentally new strategy based upon the subclinical recognition of bioindicators (biopredictors and biomarkers) of hidden abnormalities long before the disease clinically manifests itself. Each decision-maker values the impact of their decision to use PM on their own budget and well-being, which may not necessarily be optimal for society as a whole. It would be extremely useful to integrate data harvesting from different databanks for applications such as prediction and personalization of further treatment to thus provide more tailored measures for the patients and persons-at-risk resulting in improved outcomes whilst securing the healthy state and wellness, reduced adverse events and more cost effective use of health care resources. One of the most advanced areas in cardiology is atherosclerosis, cardiovascular and coronary disorders as well as in myocarditis. A lack of medical guidelines has been identified by the majority of responders as the predominant barrier for adoption, indicating a need for the development of best practices and guidelines to support the implementation of PM into the daily practice of cardiologists. Implementation of PM requires a lot before the current model physician-patient could be gradually displaced by a new model medical advisor-healthy person-at-risk. This is the reason for developing global scientific, clinical, social and educational projects in the area of PM to elicit the content of the new branch.

Biography:

Omar Bagasra has completed his PhD from University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA and his MD from UACJ, Mexico. He has completed his Post-doctorate at Union University, Albany, New York and Residency and Fellowships at Hahnemann University, Temple University, Schools of Medicine. He is the Founding Director of South Carolina Center for Biotechnology at Claflin University, South Carolina, USA. He has published more than 140 papers in reputed journals and published over 10 books. His recent book describes the role of environmental factors in autism. He has been serving as Editorial Board Member of over 15 journals.

 

Abstract:

Role of endocrine disturbing chemicals in development of autism spectrum disorders

Omar Bagasra

Claflin University, USA

 

Abstract

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a set of complex developmental disorders whose etiology is unknown. Although the symptoms may vary from person to person, they include impairment or loss of speech, lack of empathy and social interaction deficiency. The cases of ASD have continued to increase drastically each year, with the CDC estimating 1:45 children diagnosed, from 1 in 10,000 40 years ago. It is believed that the ASD is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but recent studies suggest that epigenetic factors as well as exposure to endocrine disturbing environmental chemicals, to which expecting mothers are exposed on a daily bases, may play a critical role in its pathogenesis. Although there are no biomarkers for the disease, low levels of Oxytocin (OXY) and Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) have been reported. These neuropeptides play a critical role in neurodevelopment of social interaction. Social interaction deficiencies are a principal sign of ASD in children. OXY, is involved in social recognition, pair bonding and anxiety, as well as being linked to autism. Numerous studies have shown that children with autism have plasma levels of OXY and AVP that are significantly lower than average. The importance for normal OXY and OXY receptor function in males may explain how hormonal malfunction leads to ASD male bias. Also, mothers of ASD children have lower levels of OXY and AVP and, in typical children, lower concentrations of OXY in plasma are associated with lower social and cognitive functioning. There is an inexplicable bias toward males in classical autism by a ratio of ~4:1, and ~10:1 in Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). The clinical picture is very heterogeneous and the etiology is unknown. The heritability is high in ASD but no individual gene variants exerting a major impact on susceptibility have as yet been identified. The mechanism for gender bias in autism is unknown although several hypotheses have been advanced including: (1) Epigenetic mechanisms ‘the extreme male brain’ hypothesis of Baron-Cohen which postulates that elevated fetal testosterone is a risk factor for ASD, (2) genetic mechanisms which involves X or Y chromosome inactivation and (3) recently, Hu, et al. have shown that retinoic acid-Related Orphan Receptor Alpha (RORA) is reduced in the brain and lymphoblastoid cell lines of multiple cohorts of individuals with ASD. This gene targets CYP19A1 (aromatase), in a gender-dependent manner that can also lead to elevated testosterone (or male hormones-like chemicals) levels, a proposed risk factor for autism. To date, none of these hypotheses have been either proven or disproven. Given the high clinical heterogeneity of ASD, it is possible that each of these mechanisms for gender bias may apply to specific cohorts of individuals with ASD. We will present data on the neuro-modifying effects of several endocrine disturbing chemicals on developing human brain neurons and their effects at morphologic, immunologic and at molecular levels.