Ornamental hyperaccumulator Mirabilis jalapa L. phytoremediating combine contaminated soil enhanced by some chelators and surfactants

Abstract

Mirabilis jalapa L. is an ornamental plant of the composite family, which was found hyperaccumulating Cd. Due to its larger biomass, developed root system, root exudation, and microbial interactions, certain organic pollutants in its rhizosphere can be effectively degraded. Thus, M. jalapacan be used to co-remediate heavy metal and organic pollutant co-contaminated soil. The aim of this paper is to explore the remediation capacity of M. jalapa for Cd-PAHs co-contaminated soil in the presence of five chelators or surfactants. The concentrations of Cd and PAHs in collected soil samples were 0.85 mg kg⁻¹ Cd and 1.138 mg kg⁻¹ PAHs (16 kinds of priority control polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by USEPA). The chelators or surfactants of EDTA, EGTA, CA, TW80, and SA were respectively spiked to the pots according to the experiment design at 1 month before the plant harvested. The results showed that the capacity of Cd in shoot of M. jalapa was 7.99 μg pot⁻¹ without any addition (CK4, M. jalapa in original soil without amendment). However, Cd capacity in shoot of M. jalapa was increased (p < 0.05) by 31.7%, 181.7%, and 107.4% in treatment of R_EGTA, R_CA and R_{EGTA + SA}, respectively. As for the degradation of PAHs in soil, there was no significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the treatment of CK2 (original soil spiked with 0.9 SA without M. jalapa), CK3 (original soil spiked with 0.3 TW80 without M. jalapa), and CK4 compared to the control CK1 (original soil without M. jalapa and amendment). When amendments were added to soils with M. jalapa,the PAHs concentrations in soils significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by 21.7%, 23.8%, 27.0%, 19.8%, 21.8%, 31.2%, and 25.5% for the treatment of R_{EDTA + SA}, R_{EDTA + T80}, R_{EGTA + SA}, R_{EGTA + T80}, R_{CA + T80}, R_{SA + T80 + EDTA}, and R_{SA + T80 + CA}, respectively. Basically, Cd capacity in shoot of M. jalapa was improved by chelators. PAHs degradation was caused by the existence of surfactants in rhizosphere of M. jalapa. But the roles of different chelators or surfactants were quite distinct. In short, the Cd capacity in the shoot and PAHs degradation in the rhizosphere of M. jalapa in the treatment of R_{EGTA + SA} were all significantly increased (p < 0.05), which was more practical for M. jalapa phytoremediating Cd-PAHs co-contaminated soil.

The vitamin D3 analog, maxacalcitol, reduces psoriasiform skin inflammation by inducing regulatory T cells and downregulating IL-23 and IL-17 production

Psoriasis is a Th1/Th17-mediated inflammatory dermatosis treated with topical corticosteroids and vitamin D3 analogs (VD3 As).

Subcutaneous infection with dematiaceous fungi in Card9 knockout mice reveals association of impair neutrophils and Th cell response

Phaeohyphomycosis refers to a group of severe, invasive and intractable fungal infection, which is caused by dematiaceous fungi with a yeast-like, hyphal, or pseudohyphal morphology in tissue. Exophiala, Phialophora, Fonsecaea and Cladosporium species have been reported as common etiologic agent[1,2]. Both innate and adaptive immune responses have been proved to be required for effective containment of fungal infections[3]. As the convergent role of innate and adaptive anti-fungal immune pathway, CARD9 plays an essential role in antifungal immunity[4].

Preoperative percutaneous arthrography provides detailed information for treatment of Wassel type IV thumb duplication

: We aimed to detect whether percutaneous arthrography can provide detailed information for surgery for Wassel type IV thumb duplication prior to skin incision.

Upper blepharoplasty revision technique: Correction of the high fold using the pretarsal orbicularis oculi flap

With the growing popularity of upper lid blepharoplasty, there have been increasing reports of unsatisfactory outcomes that have necessitated a revision surgery. This study aimed to evaluate aesthetic outcomes of surgical correction of the high fold using a pretarsal orbicularis oculi flap, and to highlight the key practice points of this surgical procedure in secondary blepharoplasty.

Endoscopic assisted retrograde release of posterior interosseous nerve: Preliminary results of a new technique

Open surgical release of posterior interosseous nerve(PIN) has been well defined in literature with different surgical approaches. In this retrospective study, we aimed to present outcomes of endoscopic assisted retrograde release of posterior interosseous nerve.

Autologous Fat Grafting after Breast Conserving Surgery – Breast-Imaging Changes and Patient-Reported Outcome

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) to the breast is known to cause radiologic breast-imaging changes. However, these changes have primarily been investigated in breast augmentation settings, whereas the radiologic breast-imaging changes after AFG in breast conserving surgery (BCS) patients have only been sparsely studied.

The Surgical Anatomy of the Superficial and Deep Palmar Arches: a Meta-Analysis

The following study aimed to find the pooled prevalence estimate of anatomical variations in the palmar vasculature, namely the superficial palmar arch (SPA) and the deep palmar arch (DPA). The importance of understanding the vasculature of the hand is critical with the increasing use of hand microsurgery.

Clinical results and quality of life after reconstruction following sacrectomy for primary bone malignancy

Sacrectomy is a rare and demanding surgical procedure resulting in major soft tissue defects and spinopelvic discontinuity. No consensus is available on the optimal reconstruction algorithm. Therefore, the present study evaluated the results of sacrectomy reconstruction and its impact on patients' quality of life.

Technical refinements to a validated autologous fat harvesting technique

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Absorbable Sutures for Carpal Tunnel Decompression: A Cochrane Review Summary

Carpal tunnel decompression (CTD) is the most common elective hand operation, with approximately 73,000 procedures performed annually in England1. After CTD, skin closure may be achieved with absorbable or non-absorbable sutures. Our Cochrane review2 collates the evidence comparing absorbable versus non-absorbable sutures for skin closure after CTD and we have summarised our findings below.

The amounts of melanin pigment causing color differences between the vermilion and lip mucosa

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Techniques to enable identification and safe elevation of the Posterior interosseous artery flap.

The distally-based, pedicled posterior interosseous artery (PIA) flap can be a useful option for reconstruction of dorsal hand defects, particularly following trauma.1,2 The flap is generally thin and pliable and avoids sacrificing a major vessel supplying the hand. It can be raised as a skin flap, adipofascial variant, or the super-thin fascia-only type.

γ-H2AX foci as indication for the DNA damage in erythrocytes of medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) intoxicated with 4-nonylphenol

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the genotoxicity in erythrocytes induced after exposure of medaka (Oryzias latipes) to 4-nonylphenol (4-NP). Adult female medaka fish were exposed to 4-NP at three sublethal concentrations for 15 days to compare their sensitivity with that of catfish as an aquatic model. Comet assay and γ-H2AX were used as biomarkers to detect DNA damage in erythrocytes. Exposure to 4-NP resulted in an increase in the tail moment in a dose-dependent manner. The highest level of DNA damage was recorded after exposure to 100 μg/l 4-NP. The number of foci was increased after exposure to 4-NP, indicating damage to DNA. The present results confirmed the high level of morphological alterations and apoptosis of erythrocytes detected in the first part of this study. 4-NP induced genotoxic effects in medaka, which were found to be more sensitive than catfish after exposure to 4-nonylphenol.

Graphical abstract

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Elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of glioma: integrated germline and somatic profiling of a familial glioma case series

Abstract

Background

The genomic characterization of sporadically arising gliomas has delineated molecularly and clinically distinct subclasses of disease. However, less is known about the molecular nature of gliomas that are familial in origin. We performed molecular subtyping of 163 tumor specimens from individuals with a family history of glioma and integrated germline and somatic genomic data to characterize the pathogenesis of 20 tumors in additional detail.

Methods

Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor sections to determine molecular subtypes of glioma. For 20 cases, tumor DNA was exome sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform and copy number profiling was performed on the Illumina HumanOmniExpress BeadChip. Genotypes at glioma risk polymorphisms were determined from germline DNA profiled on the Illumina Infinium OncoArray and deleterious germline mutations were identified from germline sequencing data.

Results

All 3 molecular subtypes of sporadic glioma were represented in the overall case series, including molecular glioblastoma (n = 102), oligodendroglioma (n = 21), and astrocytoma (n = 20). Detailed profiling of 20 of these cases showed characteristic subtype-specific alterations at frequencies comparable to sporadic glioma cases. All 20 cases had alterations in genes regulating telomere length. Frequencies of common glioma risk alleles were similar to those among sporadic cases, and correlations between risk alleles and same-gene somatic mutations were not observed.

Conclusions

This study illustrates that the molecular characteristics of familial tumors profiled largely recapitulate what is known about sporadic glioma and that both germline and somatic molecular features target common core pathways involved in gliomagenesis.

Historical trends and assessment of radionuclides and heavy metals in sediments near an abandoned mine, Lavrio, Greece

Abstract

Two sediment cores (coastal and offshore) and surface sediments were collected near an abandoned mine area in the marine environment of Oxygono Bay at Lavreotiki peninsula to investigate temporal and spatial variations among radionuclides and trace metals/major elements. Lavreotiki was and still is well known for the mining and metallurgical activities, which lasted from ancient times to nowadays (early 1980s). Gamma-ray and X-ray fluorescence measurements were held to determine the radionuclide and trace metal/major element concentrations, respectively. The sedimentation rate at Oxygono Bay coastal core was determined using the ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs tracers, while the enrichment factors were estimated to assess the anthropogenic influence due to metals in a spatial (surface sediments) and a temporal (coastal core sediments) basis. The mass flux at the coastal core was utilized to provide a baseline information at Lavreotiki peninsula. The trace metal/major element profiles were indeed associated with the mining activity in the area, revealing the mining history. The ERICA Tool was incorporated to estimate the dose rates due to natural and ¹³⁷Cs radioactivity in the marine organisms and the values were found below the screening levels.

The effect of innovation on CO 2 emissions of OCED countries from 1990 to 2014

Abstract

Human activities are accelerating CO₂ emissions all over the world most especially in high-income nations, spurring the rise in greenhouse gas emissions. For decades, technologies have been developed and patented in response to the environmental problems. There is an outcry for innovative ways to combat the environmental menace. This attests to the enormity of research being done, in recent years, to investigate how innovation can help mitigate CO₂ emissions. This research aims at investigating into the effect of innovation on CO₂ emissions in 28 OCED countries at an individual level for the recent period 1990 to 2014. The source of data for our utilized variables is the World Bank Indicators. Our study employed three key models based on the STIRPAT model, the economic-EKC growth model, and the innovation-EKC model. The findings of our study revealed that innovation plays a key role towards mitigation of CO₂ emissions in most OECD countries. Its impact, however, varies across the countries, depending on some key factors and channels elucidated in this paper. Additionally, our study asserts that improvement in GDP per capita leads to the rise in CO₂ in most OECD economies, although mitigate emissions in few OECDs; hence, the economic-EKC model is not valid for most economies. Non-renewable energy accelerates emissions whiles renewable energy sources mitigate emissions. Research and development (R&D) improves environmental quality and the EKC for both economic growth and innovation, valid for a few economies of the OECDs. We conclude that innovation is necessary in mitigating CO₂ emissions; hence, governments and policy makers should invest and promote innovative renewable energy sources.

Photoactivated [Mn(CO)3Br(μ-bpcpd)]2 induces apoptosis in cancer cells via intrinsic pathway

Publication date: Available online 23 August 2018

Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology

Author(s): P. Vidhyapriya, D.D. Divya, Bala. Manimaran, N. Sakthivel

Abstract

Carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORMs) are metal based organic compounds that release carbon monoxide (CO) spontaneously or upon activation. PhotoCORMs are capable of releasing CO on light based activation. This group of molecules is used in photodynamic therapy due to their ability to release CO in a controlled manner. In the present investigation, the release of CO from [Mn(CO)₃Br(μ-bpcpd)]₂ (MnCORM) upon irradiation at λ_max 365 nm was assessed spectrophotometrically using myoglobin assay and confirmed by liquid FT-IR spectroscopic analysis. Further, the cytotoxic potential of MnCORM on normal cells (HEK 293) and cancer cell lines such as lung (A549), cervical (HeLa), breast (MDA MB-231) and colon (HCT-15) was evaluated. The IC₅₀ values of MnCORM were found to be 21.37 ± 1.72, 24.12 ± 1.03, 21.89 ± 0.59 and 13.69 ± 0.91 μM on cervical (HeLa), lung (A549), colon (HCT-15) and breast (MDA MB-231) cancer cells respectively. An inquest into the nature of cell death was confirmed based on the nuclear and cytological examinations, flow cytometric analyses and protein expression studies. The AO/EB dual staining and cytological evaluation of the treated cells revealed that the cell death might be due to apoptosis. The flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide (PI) stained cells showed a significant amount of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells due to MnCORM treatment. The MnCORM-induced apoptosis was mediated through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically superoxide radicals leading to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The intrinsic pathway of apoptosis was elucidated based on the expression studies of pro-apoptotic and apoptotic proteins such as bcl-2, bax, cyt c, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved PARP. Due to its innate potential to release CO upon photoactivation and its ability to induce apoptosis via intrinsic pathway, the MnCORM molecule could be exploited for controlled release and photodynamic cancer therapy.

Graphical Abstract

Endoscopic assisted retrograde release of posterior interosseous nerve: Preliminary results of a new technique

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2018

Source: Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Author(s): Kadir Ertem, Okan Aslantürk, Emre Ergen, Mustafa Karakaplan, Ali Canbay, Miguel Angel Martin Ferrero

Summary

Purpose

Open surgical release of posterior interosseous nerve(PIN) has been well defined in literature with different surgical approaches. In this retrospective study, we aimed to present outcomes of endoscopic assisted retrograde release of posterior interosseous nerve.

Methods

From 2015 to 2017, 10 patients with radial tunnel syndrome and concomitant lateral epicondylitis treated endoscopic assisted retrograde posterior interosseous nerve release .

Results

Mean follow-up time was 24,6 months. Eighty percent of the patients had excellent and good results in final follow-up using the Roles and Maudsley criteria. All of patients but one were satisfied from the surgery in terms of the symptom relief and improved functional state

Conclusion

Our study showed that our endoscopic assisted technique could be a good alternative to open techniques. Complication rate of this new technique was similar to open techniques.

Clinical results and quality of life after reconstruction following sacrectomy for primary bone malignancy

Publication date: Available online 24 August 2018

Source: Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Author(s): Juha Kiiski, Hannu O Kuokkanen, Minna Kääriäinen, Ilkka S Kaartinen, Toni-Karri Pakarinen, Minna K Laitinen

Summary

Background

Sacrectomy is a rare and demanding surgical procedure resulting in major soft tissue defects and spinopelvic discontinuity. No consensus is available on the optimal reconstruction algorithm. Therefore, the present study evaluated the results of sacrectomy reconstruction and its impact on patients' quality of life.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted for 21 patients who underwent sacrectomy for a primary bone tumour. Patients were divided into groups based on the timing of reconstruction: no reconstruction, immediate reconstruction, or delayed reconstruction. Quality of life was measured using the EQ-5D instrument before and after surgery in patients treated in the intensive care unit.

Results

The mean patient age was 57 (range 22-81) years. The most common reconstruction was gluteal muscle flap (n=9) and gluteal fasciocutaneous flap (n=4). Four patients required free tissue transfer, three latissimus dorsi flaps and one vascular fibula bone transfer. No free flap losses were noted. The need for unplanned re-operations did not differ between groups (p=0.397) and no significant differences were found for pre- and post-operative quality of life or any of its dimensions.

Discussion

Free flap surgery is reliable for reconstructing the largest sacrectomy defects. Even in the most complex cases, surgery can be safely staged and final reconstruction carried out within 1 week of resection surgery without increasing peri-operative complications. Sacrectomy does not have an immoderate effect on the measured quality of life.