Assessment of phytoremediation potential of native plant species naturally growing in a heavy metal-polluted industrial soils

Abstract The present study was carried out in Hayat Abad Industrial Estate located in Peshawar to assess the levels of cadmium (Cd) that were present in the soil as well as the plant parts (Roots and shoots). To evaluate the phytoremediation potential of the plants different factors i.e. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factor (TF), and Bioaccumulation Coefficient were determined. These plants were grown in their native habitats (BAC). We have analysed, cadmium concentration from soil which are collected from 50 different locations ranged from 11.54 mg/Kg (the lowest) to 89.80 mg/Kg (highest). The maximum concentration (89.80 mg/Kg) of cadmium was found in HIE-ST-16L Marble City and HIE-ST-7 Bryon Pharma (88.51 mg/Kg) while its minimum concentration (12.47 mg/Kg) were detected in the soil of Site (HIE-ST-14L Royal PVC Pipe) and (11.54 mg/Kg) at the site (HIE-ST-11 Aries Pharma). Most plant species showed huge potential for plant based approaches like phyto-extraction and phytoremediation. They also showed the potential for phyto-stabilization as well. Based on the concentration of cadmium the most efficient plants for phytoextraction were Cnicus benedictus, Parthenium hysterophorus, Verbesina encelioides, Conyza canadensis, Xanthium strumarium, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodiastrum murale, Prosopis juliflora, Convolvulus arvensis, Stellaria media, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Cerastium dichotomum, Chrozophora tinctoria, Mirabilis jalapa, Medicago polymorpha, Lathyrus aphaca, Dalbergia sissoo, Melilotus indicus and Anagallis arvensis. The cadmium heavy metals in the examined soil were effectively removed by these plant species. Cerastium dichotomum, and Chenopodium murale were reported to be effective in phyto-stabilizing Cd based on concentrations of selected metals in roots and BCFs, TFs, and BACs values.

Interactive effects of hydrogen sulphide and silicon enhance drought and heat tolerance by modulating hormones, antioxidant defence enzymes and redox status in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Recent changes in climate have reduced crop productivity throughout much of the world. Drought and heat stress, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, have seriously affected barley production. This study explored the separate and interactive effects of silicon (Si) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂ S) on plant growth and mitigation of the adverse effects of heat stress (DS) and drought stress (HS) in a barley pot experiment. The impacts of simultaneous DS + HS were more severe than individual stresses due to increased ROS production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and higher electrolyte leakage (EL), thereby leading to reduced water, protein and photosynthetic pigment content. Exogenously applied Si and H₂ S alleviated the DS-, HS- and DS + HS-induced effects on barley by reducing ROS production, MDA and EL. A single application of H₂ S or Si + H₂ S increased plant biomass under all stress conditions, which can be ascribed to higher Si accumulation in barley shoots. A single application of Si or H₂ S significantly increased plant biomass. However, Si + H₂ S was the most effective treatment for metabolite accumulation and elevating activity of antioxidant enzymes to prevent toxicity from oxidative stress. This treatment also modulated osmolyte content, enhanced antioxidant activity and regulated the stress signalling-related endogenous hormones, abscisic acid (ABA) and indole acetic acid (IAA). Exogenous treatments regulated endogenous H₂ S and Si and resulted in higher tolerance to individual and combined drought and heat stress in barley.

Acute fasting-induced repression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is reversed by RF-9 administration in the adult male macaque

Recently, hypothalamic RFRP-3 (a mammalian ortholog of avian GnIH) signaling has been proposed as an important negative modulator of the reproductive axis. The current study examined whether repression of reproductive hormonal expression during short-term fasting conditions in higher-order primate is influenced by altered RFRP-3 signaling. Eight intact postpubertal male macaques (Macaca mulatta) were administered a single intravenous bolus of RF-9 (n = 4), a potent and putative RFRP-3 receptor antagonist, or vehicle (n = 4) following a 48-h fasting condition. Intermittent blood samples were collected every 30 min during the 4-h post-bolus period, and blood glucose, plasma cortisol, and testosterone concentrations were measured. Relative to fed conditions, fasting reduced glucose and testosterone levels (p < 0.005) and increased cortisol levels (p < 0.05). Relative to baseline, mean testosterone levels were elevated 150 min after RF-9 (p < 0.05) but not vehicle administration. In addition, elevated mean plasma testosterone levels following RF-9 administration were equivalent to levels observed in normal fed monkeys. These results suggest an important role for RFRP-3 signaling in conveying metabolic state information to the reproductive axis in higher primates.

Marketing Information System (MkIS): Benefits for Small and Medium Enterprises in Fiji

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the benefits of using Marketing Information System (MkIS) for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Fiji. The paper comprises of quantitative data, which is comprehensively analysed statistically. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the SMEs from five major towns in Fiji forming a sample of 96 SMEs. This research has found that, SMEs in Fiji are quite aware of the resulting benefits of MkIS, though the usage rate is low. This has resulted in changes for SMEs' business in terms of growth (sales and profits), from the time when SMEs started using MkIS or any form of technologies. The importance of MkIS in making extreme decision is also tested and analysed.

Effect of immunization with six sperm peptide vaccines on fertility of female mice

Spermatozoon is an exciting target for contraceptive vaccine development. Several sperm antigens (native or recombinant) and sperm peptides cause various degrees of contraceptive effect in female mice. No single antigen/ peptide has shown to cause a complete block in fertility in the mouse model. To enhance the efficacy of the vaccine, six sperm peptides were selected for the present study namely mFA-12,19, mFA-1117136, YLP12, P10G, A9D and SP56. These have been shown to cause > 50% to > 80% reduction in fertility when used individually for immunization. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that the vaccination with all the six peptides together will enhance the contraceptive efficacy by an additive effect resulting in a complete block of fertility in the mouse model. Six vaccines were prepared by conjugating the six synthetic peptides with the recombinant binding subunit of cholera toxin (rCTB). Female CD-1 mice were immunized intramuscularly with all the six peptide vaccines. Each animal received a total of five injections at 2- to 3- week intervals of all of the six vaccines and each vaccine was injected at a separate site. Approximately four weeks after the last injection, the animals were mated. Immunization of each mouse with all six peptides resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of fertility. At 150 micro g dose, there was an overall 45% reduction compared to controls. Several mice produced antibodies (> or = 2SD units) against these peptides in the serum and the genital tract but the titers were low, and many animals did not respond to several peptides. No animal produced antibodies to all six peptides in serum or the genital tract. When the antibody titers against all six peptides disappeared after > 10 months from circulation and the genital tract, all the animals regained fertility. These findings indicate that the immunization with the six sperm peptide vaccines induce antibodies in serum and the genital tract that cause a reversible long-term contraceptive effect in female mice. The inhibition in fertility was up to 45% rather than a complete block that seems to be due to low antibody titers, especially in the genital tract. It was interesting to note that even with such low titers there was a significant reduction in fertility after immunization with multipeptide vaccine. Multipeptide vaccination is an exciting approach and the present preliminary data warrant further studies.

Changes in various antioxidant levels in human seminal plasma related to immunoinfertility

The present study was designed (1) to determine levels of antioxidant micronutrients in human seminal plasma, and (2) to evaluate the association between the concentrations of these antioxidants and the antisperm antibody titers in immunoinfertile men. To investigate this, the seminal plasma concentrations of antioxidant beta-carotene, lycopene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography in 37 men (22 fertile and 15 immunoinfertile), aged 27 to 35 years. The SIT (sperm-immobilization technique), TAT (tray-agglutination technique), and IBT (indirect immunobead test) were used to evaluate the antisperm antibody titers. The levels of three antioxidants, namely, beta-carotene, lycopene, and retinol, were significantly (p = .01) decreased and the concentration of alpha-tocopherol was significantly (p = .002) increased in seminal plasma of immunoinfertile men as compared to the levels in fertile men. There was a significant linear correlation between the antisperm antibody titer and beta-carotene level measured by IBT (r = .561, p = .002), whereas no significant correlation was found with the other three seminal plasma antioxidants, namely, lycopene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol levels. These results indicate, for perhaps the first time, the presence of antioxidants in local genital tract secretions of men. Modulation of their concentrations in immunoinfertile men and their correlation with the antisperm antibody titers strongly suggest the involvement of dietary antioxidants in male infertility, especially mediated through immunologic factors.

Treatment of diarrhoea in infants by medical doctors in Balochistan, Pakistan

Diarrhoea is an important public health problem in Balochistan, the westernmost province of Pakistan. Although the use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) has been widely promoted, no studies have been reported on the actual uses of ORS in treating infant diarrhoea by the medical doctors in this region. The medical practices of 30 doctors in Balochistan were surveyed. The surveyors posed as the mothers of infants with diarrhoea. The questions asked by the doctors, the physical examinations performed, and the treatments prescribed were noted. The histories and physical examinations were incomplete, as performed by most practitioners. In addition, 80% of the doctors prescribed drugs, usually kaolin preparations to treat diarrhoea. However, 18 of the 30 (60%) practitioners also prescribed ORS for treating diarrhoea and most of them gave some recommendations about ORS use. It is concluded that many medical practitioners have incorporated ORS treatment into their practices. Ongoing educational programmes and refresher courses would likely improve the use of ORS further in this region.

Variation in antisperm antibody response following transection of male genital tract in Lewis rats

Genital tracts of male Lewis rats were transected at various levels to determine whether this may influence antisperm antibody response. Adult male rats underwent bilateral transection of the vas deferens (group I, n = 9), mid-epididymis (group II, n = 10), and efferent duct (group III, n = 9). Group IV (n = 10) underwent a sham operation. Sera were collected by retro-orbital puncture before the operative procedure and monthly for 3 months postprocedure. Sperm-reactive immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured individually as well as combined in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using lithium diiodosalicylate (LIS)-solubilized washed rat caudal epididymal sperm. The maximal immune response was seen in all groups at 2 months postprocedure. Antibody response defined as the net ELISA absorbance reading for the combined immunoglobulin group were (mean +/- SEM): group I = 120 +/- 16, group II = 156 +/- 23, group III = 190 +/- 20, and group IV = 116 +/- 22. The highest antibody response was noted in the efferent duct group, which was statistically (p < .05) greater than the sham-operated and vas deferens groups. In the efferent duct group the highest immunoglobulin response was observed in the IgG class, which was significantly higher (p < .05) than the IgA and IgM classes. The transection of the male genital tract at different levels leads to variation in antisperm antibody response and that sperm located at different sites along the genital tract may differ in their autoantigenic potential.