Identification of potential plant species hyperaccumulating light rare earth elements (LREE) in a mining area in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Phytoextraction of rare earth elements (REE) from contaminated soils has gained importance during the last few decades. The Poços de Caldas municipality in Brazil is known for its mineral richness, including large reserves of REE. In this study, we report light REE (La, Ce, Sm, Pr, and Nd) in soils and plants collected in an area. Composite soil samples and plant individuals were collected, and total concentrations of LREE in soils were determined by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF). The plant available LREE concentrations in soils were estimated upon the acetic acid method (F1 fractions) of the stepwise sequential extraction procedure, together with plant content that was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The total sum concentrations of tested LREE in soils varied from 5.6 up to 37.9 g kg^-1, the bioavailable fraction was ca. 1%, and a linear relationship was found between them. The only exception was Sm, whose availability was lesser and did not show a linear relationship. The concentration of LREE in non-accumulator plants varied from 1.3-950 mg kg^-1 for Ce, La 1.1-99 mg kg^-1, Sm 0.04-9.31 mg kg^-1, Pr 0.1-24.1 mg kg^-1, and Nd 0.55-81 mg kg^-1. The concentration of LREE among shoots did not show a linear relation either with the available fraction or total content. The screening also revealed Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy, Thelypteridaceae family, as a promising hyperaccumulator species. The concentrations of LREE among shoots of six individuals of this species were in the ranges from 115 to 1872 mg kg^-1 for Ce, La 190-703 mg kg^-1, Sm 9-48 mg kg^-1, Pr 32-144 mg kg^-1, and Nd 105-478 mg kg^-1.

Food habits of indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) (Kerr 1792), in district Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) is classified as an agricultural pest species. It feeds on plants and crops; hence, it is responsible for massive financial losses worldwide. The current study was conducted to assess the diet composition of Indian Crested Porcupine in District Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). Thus, fecal samples were collected and examined from different sampling sites. Reference slides of the material collected from the study area were prepared for identification of dietary components in fecal pellets. A total of 80 fecal samples were collected and processed. Percent relative frequencies (P.R.F.) were calculated for each plant species recovered from pellets. Data revealed that Indian Crested Porcupine consumed 31 plant species in its diet, among them Zea mays (34.31±7.76) was the most frequently selected species followed by Rumex obtusifolius (15.32±2.57) and Melia azedarach (12.83±4.79). The study revealed that the greatest diversity of (n=20) plant species were consumed in summer season while minimum (n=13) species were used during winter. Among the parts of plants, stem was highly consumed in spring (57.2%) as compared to seed in fall (36.7%) while spikes and leaf were the least recovered parts from the fecal matter. The Berger-Parker diversity index showed highly diversified food (10.92) in the summer time of the year as compared to the autumn season (2.95). This study provides a baseline for the diet preference of this pest in the study area. Based on current findings, a detailed investigation on damage assessment, exploration, habitat use and management of Indian Crested Porcupine in AJ&K has been recommended.

Statistical modeling for analyzing grain yield of durum wheat under rainfed conditions in Azad Jammu Kashmir, Pakistan

One of the most important traits that plant breeders aim to improve is grain yield which is a highly quantitative trait controlled by various agro-morphological traits. Twelve morphological traits such as Germination Percentage, Days to Spike Emergence, Plant Height, Spike Length, Awn Length, Tillers/Plant, Leaf Angle, Seeds/Spike, Plant Thickness, 1000-Grain Weight, Harvest Index and Days to Maturity have been considered as independent factors. Correlation, regression, and principal component analysis (PCA) are used to identify the different durum wheat traits, which significantly contribute to the yield. The necessary assumptions required for applying regression modeling have been tested and all the assumptions are satisfied by the observed data. The outliers are detected in the observations of fixed traits and Grain Yield. Some observations are detected as outliers but the outlying observations did not show any influence on the regression fit. For selecting a parsimonious regression model for durum wheat, best subset regression, and stepwise regression techniques have been applied. The best subset regression analysis revealed that Germination Percentage, Tillers/Plant, and Seeds/Spike have a marked increasing effect whereas Plant thickness has a negative effect on durum wheat yield. While stepwise regression analysis identified that the traits, Germination Percentage, Tillers/Plant, and Seeds/Spike significantly contribute to increasing the durum wheat yield. The simple correlation coefficient specified the significant positive correlation of Grain Yield with Germination Percentage, Number of Tillers/Plant, Seeds/Spike, and Harvest Index. These results of correlation analysis directed the importance of morphological characters and their significant positive impact on Grain Yield. The results of PCA showed that most variation (70%) among data set can be explained by the first five components. It also identified that Seeds/Spike; 1000-Grain Weight and Harvest Index have a higher influence in contributing to the durum wheat yield. Based on the results it is recommended that these important parameters might be considered and focused in future durum wheat breeding programs to develop high yield varieties.

Effect of nanomolar concentrations of lanthanum on Desmodesmus quadricauda cultivated under environmentally relevant conditions

Toxicity of lanthanides is generally regarded as low, and they even have been suggested to be beneficial at low concentrations. This research was conducted to investigate effects of Lanthanum (La) on Desmodesmus quadricauda, a freshwater green microalga. The algal cultures were treated with nanomolar La concentrations under controlled environmentally relevant conditions. Intracellular localization of La was analyzed with μXRF tomography in frozen-hydrated samples. At sublethal concentration (128 nM) La was in hotspots inside the cells, while at lethal 1387 nM that led to release of other ions (K, Zn) from the cells, La filled most of the cells. La had no clear positive effects on growth or photosynthetic parameters, but increasing concentrations led to a dramatic decrease in cell counts. Chlorophyll fluorescence kinetic measurements showed that La led to the inhibition of photosynthesis. Maximal photochemical quantum yield of the PSII reaction center in dark-adapted state (F_v/F_m) decreased at > 4.3 nM La during the 2nd week of treatment. Minimum dark-adapted fluorescence quantum yield (F₀) increased at > 13.5 nM La during the 2nd week of treatment except for control (0.2 nM La, baseline from chemicals) and 0.3 nM La. NPQ at the beginning of the actinic light phase showed significant increase for all the treatments. Metalloproteomics by HPLC-ICPMS showed that La binds to a >500 kDa soluble protein complex already in the sub-nM range of La treatments, in the low nM range to a small-sized (3 kDa) soluble peptide, and at >100 nM La additionally binds to a 1.5 kDa ligand.

Evaluation of chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effect of Artemisia vulgaris extract against diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis in Balb C mice

Abstract The main objective of current study was to investigate the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity of Artemisia vulgaris extract on diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Balb C mice. Diethylnitrosoamine (DEN: 0.9%) was prepared to induce hepatocarcinoma in Balb C mice. The extract Artemisia vulgaris (AV) was prepared by maceration technique. Mice were classified into four groups as follows: Group 1 a control group (N=7) received saline solution (3.5 μl/mg), group 2 (N=14) received diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) intraperitoneally once in a week for eight consecutive weeks, group 3 (N=7) received only plant extract (AV: 150 mg/kg (Body weight) once in a week, while group 4 (N=7) was given in combination of diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) and plant extract (AV: 150 mg/kg (body weight). After eight weeks of DEN administration, mice of group 2 were divided into two subgroups containing seven mice each; subgroup 1 was sacrificed while subgroup 2 was treated with plant extract only (150 mg/kg (body weight)) once in a week for eight consecutive weeks. The DEN injected mice significant decline in levels of albumin with concomitant significant elevations such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alpha feto protein, gamma glutamyl transferase, 5 nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and bilirubin. The administration of A. vulgaris significantly decreased the DEN induced hepatotoxicity. Present study revealed the potential anti-cancerous nature of Artemisia vulgaris, both in case of chemopreventive and post-treatment of A. vulgaris. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism of prevention and therapy.

In vivo induction of hepatocellular carcinoma by diethylnitrosoamine and pharmacological intervention in Balb C mice using Bergenia ciliata extracts

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent primary malignancy of liver and accounts for as many as one million deaths worldwide in a year.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-cancerous efficiency of Bergenia ciliata rhizome against diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Balb C mice.

METHODS

One percent diethylnitrosoamine was prepared by using 99 ml of normal saline NaCl (0.9 percent) solution to which was added 1 ml of concentrated diethylnitrosoamine (DEN) solution (0.01 μg/μl). Extract of Bergenia ciliata was prepared by maceration technique. Mice were classified into four groups as follows: Group 1 a control group (N=7) received saline solution (3.5 μl/mg), group 2 (N=14) received diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) intraperitoneally once in a week for eight consecutive weeks, group 3 (N=7) received plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)) once in a week, while group 4 (N=7) was given combination of diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) and plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)). After eight weeks of DEN induction group 2 mice were divided into two subgroups containing seven mice each, subgroup 1 was sacrificed while subgroup 2 was treated with plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)) once in a week for eight consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

The model of DEN injected hepatocellular carcinomic (HCC) mice elicited significant decline in levels of albumin with concomitant significant elevations in tumor markers aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha feto protein (AFP), gamma glutamyl transferase (Y-GT), 5 nucleotidase (5NT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and bilirubin. The intraperitoneal administration of B. ciliata as a protective agent, produced significant increase in albumin levels with significant decrease in the levels of tumor markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha feto protein (AFP), gamma glutamyl transferase (Y-GT), 5 nucleotidase (5NT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and bilirubin.

CONCLUSION

Bergenia ciliata has potent antioxidant activity, radical scavenging capacity and anticancerous properties. Bergenia ciliata extracts may provide a basis for development of anti-cancerous drug.

Consensus Recommendation for India and Bangladesh for the Use of Pneumococcal Vaccine in Mass Gatherings with Special Reference to Hajj Pilgrims

Respiratory tract infections are prevalent among Hajj pilgrims with pneumonia being a leading cause of hospitalization. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common pathogen isolated from patients with pneumonia and respiratory tract infections during Hajj. There is a significant burden of pneumococcal disease in India, which can be prevented. Guidelines for preventive measures and adult immunization have been published in India, but the implementation of the guidelines is low. Data from Bangladesh are available about significant mortality due to respiratory infections; however, literature regarding guidelines for adult immunization is limited. There is a need for extensive awareness programs across India and Bangladesh. Hence, there was a general consensus about the necessity for a rapid and urgent implementation of measures to prevent respiratory infections in pilgrims traveling to Hajj. About ten countries have developed recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination in Hajj pilgrims: France, the USA, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE (Dubai Health Authority), Singapore, Malaysia, Egypt, and Indonesia. At any given point whether it is Hajj or Umrah, more than a million people are present in the holy places of Mecca and Madina. Therefore, the preventive measures taken for Hajj apply for Umrah as well. This document puts forward the consensus recommendations by a group of twenty doctors following a closed-door discussion based on the scientific evidence available for India and Bangladesh regarding the prevention of respiratory tract infections in Hajj pilgrims.

Electrochemical hydride generation of thallium

An electrochemical hydride generation (ECHG) technique was developed to improve the determination of thallium by atomic spectrometry. The technique is based on the catholyte variation system for production of thallium hydride. Using Pb-Sn alloy as cathode, a transient peak shaped signal was achieved and its height, the maximum absorbance value, was taken as an analytical parameter. Parameters that might affect the hydride generation efficiency were investigated and the analytical performance of the method under the optimized experimental conditions was assessed. The linear range was 1-250 ng mL(-1) for thallium and the relative standard deviation of the method was 4.2% (RSD, n=7). The LOD for thallium was found to be 0.8 ng mL(-1), showing a significant improvement relative to conventional chemical hydride generation techniques. The proposed method was applied to the determination of thallium in unalloyed zinc standard reference material. This method offers high sensitivity, simplicity, rapidness, freeness from reagent and low acid consumption.

Fast and efficient removal of Reactive Black 5 from aqueous solution by a combined method of ultrasound and sorption process

Removal of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) from aqueous solutions was carried by the sorption process in the presence and in the absence of ultrasound. Sorption of the dye on the solid phase was investigated in a series of batch sorption experiments to determine the influence of different parameters such as contact time, amount of sorbent and concentration of pollutant on the removal efficiency of RB5 with and without ultrasound. The experimental data were fitted properly to the Freundlich model and the isotherm constants were 28.2 and 7.4 for k(f) and 0.13 and 0.38 for 1/n in the presence and in the absence of ultrasound (20 kHz) respectively. The data were analyzed with different sorption kinetic models and were better fitted with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Two ultrasonic generators at 20 and 500 kHz were used for sonication of the system. This investigation also reveals that RB5 can be removed by higher frequency apparatus (500 kHz) without sorbent in about 60 min sonication. The rate of removal was higher at the higher frequency than at the lower one.

Altered sirtuin expression is associated with node-positive breast cancer

Sirtuins are genes implicated in cellular and organismal ageing. Consequently, they are speculated to be involved in diseases of ageing including cancer. Various cancers with widely differing prognosis have been shown to have differing and characteristic expression of these genes; however, the relationship between sirtuin expression and cancer progression is unclear. In order to correlate cancer progression and sirtuin expression, we have assessed sirtuin expression as a function of primary cell ageing and compared sirtuin expression in normal, ‘nonmalignant’ breast biopsies to breast cancer biopsies using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Levels of SIRT7 expression were significantly increased in breast cancer (P<0.0001). Increased levels of SIRT3 and SIRT7 transcription were also associated with node-positive breast cancer (P<0.05 and P<0.0001, respectively). This study has demonstrated differential sirtuin expression between nonmalignant and malignant breast tissue, with consequent diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

The use of telomere biology to identify and develop superior nitrone based anti-oxidants

We have employed a biological chemistry approach to dissect the mechanisms underpinning cellular responses to oxidant stress and to develop biologically relevant anti-oxidants. We have used telomere biology to define cellular stress responses and have observed telomere independent, p21- and p16-dependent stasis following oxidative insult in human fibroblasts. This was accompanied by a [corrected] reduction in XRCC5 expression and a reduction in [corrected] SIRT 1 expression. Using these markers in conjunction with senescence-associated beta-galactosidase expression, we have developed and screened novel nitrone based anti-oxidant compounds. We have identified functional compounds that are unsuitable for use in primary human cells. This has allowed subsequent identification of suitably structured compounds that act as superior biological anti-oxidants, which have potential for use in clinical interventions.

Nutritional and radiological impact of dietary potassium on the Pakistani population

The nutritional status of dietary potassium and the radiological impact of its isotope (40)K were estimated for the Pakistani population. Potassium concentration was determined in dietary samples by atomic absorption spectrometry. An average potassium concentration was 4.54+/-0.89 mg/g, which leads to potassium dietary intake of 2.69+/-0.54 g/day and the radiological hazard due to (40)K activity was 79.94 Bq/day. The annual and lifetime effective doses calculated for the reference Pakistani man weighing 64 kg due to measured activity of (40)K were found to be 1.65 x 10(-4) Sv y(-1) and 8.27 x 10(-3) Sv, respectively. Measured data showed that the potassium concentration in the Pakistani diet is adequate and safe according to international standards.

Determination of the "incidental" Lund score for the staging of chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE

Determine normative values for the Lund score for computed tomographic (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses.

METHODS

Patients undergoing CT of the paranasal sinus region for nonsinusitis causes were evaluated and staged according to the Lund-MacKay system. Complete and near complete Lund scores were computed from these scans and the frequencies of incidental paranasal abnormalities were tabulated.

RESULTS

A total of 199 patients who underwent CT scans of the internal auditory canals, pituitary, or orbits demonstrated adequate visualization of the paranasal sinuses. In 91 patients, the imaging was sufficient to compute a complete Lund score with a mean of 4.26 (95% CI, 3.43 to 5.10). In 130 patients, all sinuses were adequately imaged except for the ostiomeatal complex. For this near complete group, the mean prorated Lund score was 4.26 (95% CI, 3.55 to 4.97). Both of these scores differed significantly from an expected score of zero (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Lund score in the general population is not 0. A Lund score ranging from 0 to 5 may be considered within an incidentally "normal" range, and should be factored into clinical decision-making.

Presence and usability in shared space virtual conferencing: a participatory design study

The use of teleconferencing as an alternative to taking part in expensive or impractical traditional meetings is becoming more and more popular. However, there are limitations to both audio and video conferencing, such as lack of presence and involvement. These can potentially be avoided by the use of virtual shared space conferencing. This paper describes a three-phase study intended to investigate the issues of presence and usability with respect to this alternative form of conferencing. The first phase involved informal tests to establish a suitable starting point for the second phase, which employed a participatory design methodology whereby users of a prototype system contributed to its development toward an optimally usable and well-featured design, both for the meeting environment and for the user interface to it. The third phase involved further user trials to assess and refine the conclusions indicated by the second phase. The results of the study indicate a number of requirements for optimal design of shared space conferencing systems. These requirements include (1) the need to be selective about the degree of realism in different aspects of the system, (2) the importance of view control and avatar animation in support of talker identification, (3) the desire of users for flexibility and freedom with regard to turn-taking and gesture control, and (4) the benefits of symbolic acting when certain important considerations for its implementation are respected. Finally, the results also show that, following a short period of user habituation, shared space conferencing can induce a strong sense of involvement and presence for users.

Induction of ovulation in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques: recombinant human FSH (follitropin alpha) versus highly purified urinary FSH (urofollitropin HP)

This multicentre, open, randomized, study compared the efficacy and safety of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH; follitropin alpha) with highly purified urinary human FSH (uFSH; urofollitropin HP) in women undergoing ovulation induction for assisted reproductive techniques. Following long down-regulation with buserelin, patients received two ampoules of 75 IU (150 IU) s.c. rFSH or highly purified uFSH for 6 days, after which the dose could be increased until they fulfilled the criteria for human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration. Of 168 patients recruited, 155 received at least one dose of FSH, and 137 received HCG [68: rFSH (85%); 69: uFSH (92%)]. Following oocyte retrieval and fertilization, up to three embryos were replaced/patient and luteal support was given. The mean number of oocytes retrieved/patient was 10.2 +/- 6.0 for rFSH patients compared with 10.8 +/- 6.1 in the uFSH group (not significant). There was a trend towards fewer ampoules used (22.3 +/- 6.5 versus 24.3 +/- 6.5), higher pregnancy (44.3 versus 41.4%) and live birth rates (33.8 versus 26.7%), as well as a lower miscarriage rate (0.0 versus 16.7%) in favour of rFSH. However, no significant differences in efficacy parameters were recorded. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred in 8.6% and 7.9% of rFSH and uFSH patients respectively. In conclusion, this protocol was effective in inducing multiple follicular development and high numbers of oocytes were retrieved with both drugs.