Health risk assessment of heavy metals in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivated in domestic wastewater and lake water irrigated soils

Irrigation of crops with domestic wastewater (DW) is a common practice in developing countries like India. However, domestic wastewater irrigation poses a risk of migration of toxic heavy metals to edible parts of crops, which requires serious measures to prevent their uptake. In this study, the effect of DW irrigation in comparison with Sarbal Lake water (SLW) and borewell water (BW) on soil characteristics and cultivated saffron (Crocus sativus L.) was investigated. For this purpose, samples of water, soil, and saffron (corm, petal, and stigma) were collected from the suburban area of Pampore, Srinagar district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The results showed that DW irrigation had the maximum significant (p < 0.05) influence on the physico-chemical and nutrient characteristics of the soil, followed by SLW and BW irrigation, respectively. The growth and yield parameters of saffron were also significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the case of DW irrigation as compared to SLW and BW. The quality ranking of the cultivated saffron was found to be in accordance with the ISO standard (III: BW and II: DW and SLW). On the other hand, DW irrigation showed a significant increase in heavy metal contents (mg/kg) of saffron plant parts such as As (0.21-0.40), Cd (0.04-0.09), Cr (0.16-0.41), Cu (7.31-14. 75), Fe (142.38-303.15), Pb (0.18-0.31), Mn (15.26-22.81), Hg (0.18-0.25), Ni (0.74-1.18), Se (0.13-0.22), and Zn (3.44-4.59), followed by SLW and BW. However, the levels of heavy metals did not exceed the FAO/WHO safe limits. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF), dietary intake modeling (DIM<0.006496), health risk assessment (HRI<0.028571), and target hazard quotient (THQ<1) analyses showed no potential health hazard associated with the consumption of saffron irrigated with DW and SLW. Therefore, the results of this study provide valuable insights into the optimization of irrigation sources for saffron cultivation.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and its relation to plasma lipids in coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

The present investigation is aimed at examining the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypic influence on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in northwest India (Punjab), where this disease is emerging as a major threat to public-health care system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study comprised of angiographically diagnosed coronary heart disease patients (n = 193) and controls (n = 150) of Punjab. Genetic polymorphism of APOE gene was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and its association with lipid levels was evaluated.

RESULTS

The allele frequencies of epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 were 0.054, 0.795, 0.151; and 0.077, 0.856, 0.067 in patients and controls respectively. The bearers of E3/E4 genotype had threefold higher propensity of developing CHD in this population (OR, 3.04; CI, 1.55-6.25; P < 0.001), which exacerbated (OR, 4.18; CI, 2.03-9.27; P < 0.001) after correcting for age, sex, BMI, and lipid-lowering drugs. Lower HDL-C levels and higher LDL-C levels were found to be correlated with E3/E4 genotype (P < 0.01). Other concomitants like body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels did not show up as genetic determinants in this part of the region.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association (P = 0.016) of epsilon4 allele, especially E3/E4 genotype, with CHD was observed, along with HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations, in the population of northwest India.

Electronic structure of Mn-doped ZnO by x-ray emission and absorption spectroscopy

We report an investigation of Mn-doped ZnO pellets with diluted Mn concentration by soft-x-ray emission and absorption spectroscopy. We have compared the electronic structure of two samples with different Mn concentration and different magnetic properties at room temperature: ferromagnetism in one case (Zn(0.98)Mn(0.02)O) and no magnetic order in the other (Zn(0.96)Mn(0.04)O). The results show that most of the Mn ions of the ferromagnetic sample are in the divalent state. For the nonmagnetic sample, a larger contribution of higher oxidation Mn states is present, which can be correlated to the suppressed ferromagnetism. The presence of oxygen atoms bonded to Mn ions and hybridized Mn 3d-O 2p states has been detected in both compounds. The partial density of states in the valence band has been measured with x-ray emission spectroscopy and the Mn 3d states have been found inside the bandgap of ZnO.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC): a clinicopathological study of 21 cases

Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis (XGC) is an uncommon inflammatory disease. In a retrospective analysis of 159 cholecystectomy specimens revealed 21 cases of diffuse and focal XGC with an overall incidence of 13.2 per cent. The age distribution was identical to those of traditional chronic cholecystitis with female predominance (M:F ratio 1:4). Gallstones were seen in 15 cases with marked thickening of the gall bladder on ultrasonography. In one case it falsely diagnosed as carcinoma on ultrasonographic examination, however, histopathologically it was turned out to be XGC. One case of XGC was associated with adenocarcinoma of gall bladder. The incidence of diffuse XGC was 5.66 per cent, whereas incidence of focal XGC was 7.54 per cent amongst chronic cholecystitis.

Neoplasms of Sweat Gland

Fifty cases of sweat gland tumours seen during a. period of 27 years, accounted for 54.34% of skin appendages tumours. There were 47 sweat glands, tumours and 3 malignant, seen in the 21- 40 years age group. M : F ratio was 1:1 Histopathol4caUy, there were 13 cases of eccrine, acrospiroma, 11 cases each of syringocystadenovaa papiuiferum and chondroid syringoma, 5 cases of eccrine, spiradenoma, 3 cases of dermal cylindrom and 2 cases each of hidradenoma papilliferum and eccrine pogrom. Three cases of malignant sweat gland tumours included 2 cases of sweat gland-carcinoma and 1 case of primary mucmous carcinomas of skin.

Basal Cell Epithelioma (A Clinico-pathological Study of 172 Cases)

The present paper deals with a clinico-pathological analysis of 172 cases of basal cell epithelioma representing 28% of the total skin cancer case. 1.44% of the total malignant tumours, 1% of the total tumours and 0.24% of the hospital admissions. M:F ratio was 1.26:1. The mean age was 54.06 years with the maximum number of cases in the fifth decade., Most (94%) of the lesions were seen on the head and neck region. Histopathologically it showed solid (60.5%), adenoid cystic (15,7%), keratotic (9.3%), pigmented (6.4%), basi-squamous (3.5%) and morphoea patterns (2.3%). Perineural lymphatic invasion was seen in 52% of the adenoid cystic basal call epithelioma. Amyloid (12.8%) and amyloid like deposits (29.65%) were seen in 42% of the case. Amyloid deposits were seen as lichen amyloidosis in 10.46% cases and in or around the tumour cell masses in 16.8% cases. It appeared as structureless homogeneous eosinophilic material and showed congophilia with apple green birefringence on polarising microscopy. It was found to be KMN04 sensitive (AA type protein- secondary amyloidosis). Amyloid like deposits appeared as less homogeneous,, basophilic, fractured material which showed non-specific congophilia with apple- green birefringence and stained with acid orcein stain indicating degenerated collagen (elastoid-degeneration).

Neoplasms of Hair Follicle

The present paper deals with clinico-pathological analysis of 22 cases of hair follicle neoplasm, representing 23.4% of skin appendage tumours. The mean age was 32 years, M : F ratio was 1:1. Histopathologically, there were 15 cases of pilomatrixoma, 5 cases of trichoepithelioma and 2 cases of trichelemmoma.

Gastric secretion in cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis

Studies on basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric secretion were carried out in 20 patients with cirrhosis, 20 with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) and 20 control subjects. There was no significant difference in the basal volume and acid output between the three groups. However, maximal volume and acid output were significantly lower in patients with cirrhosis and NCPF compared with the control group. There was no correlation between the acid secretion and the degree of hepatocellular dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, the gastric hyposection was as marked in the patients with NCPF as in those with cirrhosis, although the former did not suffer from any hepatic decompensation. It is concluded that gastric hyposecretion is not due to a derangement of hepatocyte function but may be secondary to portal hypertension and collateral circulation.

Significance of eosinophil and mast cell counts in rectal mucosa in ulcerative colitis. A prospective controlled study

Eosinophil and mast cell counts were done in 44 patients with active ulcerative colitis, 10 patients with ulcerative colitis in remission, and 44 matched subjects with functional bowel disorder. Mean (+/- SD) rectal eosinophil counts (EC) per unit area were significantly high (P less than 0.01) in active ulcerative colitis (5.80 +/- 5.49) as compared with inactive disease (2.81 +/- 2.19) or controls (3.01 +/- 1.67). Eosinophil count was not significantly different in the acute stage between responder (6.36 +/- 5.95) and nonresponders (5.1 +/- 5.84) to medical treatment and was thus of little discriminatory and prognostic value. Mean (+/- SD) EC was reduced from 6.36 +/- 5.95 to 3.91 +/- 3.19 in responders after four weeks of medical treatment. There was little change in the EC with treatment in nonresponders. No correlation was seen between tissue eosinophils and clinical severity of ulcerative colitis. Mast cell count was not significantly different between patients with active ulcerative colitis, inactive disease, and controls and thus had little diagnostic or prognostic value. It can be concluded therefore, that EC in the rectal mucosa indicated activity but not severity of ulcerative colitis. A reduction in EC possibly indicated remission. Rectal EC, however, cannot correctly prognosticate the treatment response and outcome of the disease.

Idiopathic Calcinosis of the Scrotum

Idiopathic calcinosis of scrotum is a rare condition of unknown aetiology. It is often misdiagnosed as multiple sebaceous cysts. Three, cases of idiopathic calcinosis of scrotum characterised by multiple hard nodules, variable in size and shape, discharging chalky white material over the scrotal skin are described. Histopathology showed irregular masses of calcium in the subepithelial area, with foreign body granulomatous reaction.