Cadmium removal from human plasma by Cibacron Blue F3GA and thionein incorporated into polymeric microspheres

Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate–ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate) [poly(HEMA–EGDMA)] microspheres carrying Cibacron Blue F3GA and/or thionein were prepared and used for the removal of cadmium ions Cd(II) from human plasma. The poly(HEMA–EGDMA) microspheres, in the size range of 150–200 μm in diameter, were produced by a modified suspension copolymerization of HEMA and EGDMA. The reactive triazinyl dye-ligand Cibacron Blue F3GA was then covalently incorporated into the microspheres. The maximum dye incorporation was 16.5 μmol/g. Then, thionein was bound onto the Cibacron Blue F3GA-incorporated microspheres under different conditions. The maximum amount of thionein bound was 14.3 mg/g. The maximum amounts of Cd(II) ions removed from human plasma by poly(HEMA–EGDMA)–Cibacron Blue F3GA and poly(HEMA–EGDMA)–Cibacron Blue F3GA–thionein were of 17.5 mg/g and 38.0 mg/g, respectively. Cd(II) ions could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed with both types of microspheres without significant loss in their adsorption capacity.     

Chromosome counts in some Alchemilla species from north-east Anatolia

This paper presents the results of karyological analysis of seven Alchemilla species collected from north-east Anatolia, Turkey, belonging to Alchemilla sect. Alchemilla subsect. Heliodrosium ser. Vulgares and subsect. Calycanthum ser. Elatae and ser. Calycinae. The following chromosome numbers were determined: A. haraldi 2n = 85–105, A. heterophylla 2n = 85–97, A. hirtipedicellata 2n = 86–100, A. oriturcica 2n = 86–102, A. persica 2n = 78–99, A. procerrima 2n = 69–78 and A. trabzonica 2n = 78–88. The chromosome numbers of three of these seven species are presented for the first time.     

A Reevaluation of the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Scale-Up Plan in Zimbabwe

Background

The voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) program in Zimbabwe aims to circumcise 80% of males aged 13–29 by 2017. We assessed the impact of actual VMMC scale-up to date and evaluated the impact of potential alterations to the program to enhance program efficiency, through prioritization of subpopulations.

Methods and Findings

We implemented a recently developed analytical approach: the age-structured mathematical (ASM) model and accompanying three-level conceptual framework to assess the impact of VMMC as an intervention. By September 2014, 364,185 males were circumcised, an initiative that is estimated to avert 40,301 HIV infections by 2025. Through age-group prioritization, the number of VMMCs needed to avert one infection (effectiveness) ranged between ten (20–24 age-group) and 53 (45–49 age-group). The cost per infection averted ranged between $811 (20–24 age-group) and $5,518 (45–49 age-group). By 2025, the largest reductions in HIV incidence rate (up to 27%) were achieved by prioritizing 10–14, 15–19, or 20–24 year old. The greatest program efficiency was achieved by prioritizing 15–24, 15–29, or 15–34 year old. Prioritizing males 13–29 year old was programmatically efficient, but slightly inferior to the 15–24, 15–29, or 15–34 age groups. Through geographic prioritization, effectiveness varied from 9–12 VMMCs per infection averted across provinces. Through risk-group prioritization, effectiveness ranged from one (highest sexual risk-group) to 60 (lowest sexual risk-group) VMMCs per infection averted.

Conclusion

The current VMMC program plan in Zimbabwe is targeting an efficient and impactful age bracket (13–29 year old), but program efficiency can be improved by prioritizing a subset of males for demand creation and service availability. The greatest program efficiency can be attained by prioritizing young sexually active males and males whose sexual behavior puts them at higher risk for acquiring HIV.     

Cytotoxic activities of Hypericum perforatum L. extracts against 2D and 3D cancer cell models

Cytotechnology - Six extracts were obtained from plant species Hypericum perforatum L., collected at Samsun in Turkey. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms of the anticancer activity...     

Karyotype variation within some native populations of oriental spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea orientalis</Emphasis>) in Turkey

Karyological studies have been investigated within 8 native Anatolian populations of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link) in Turkey. The somatic chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 24 has been observed in all accessions. The karyotypes are generally asymmetrical with most of the chromosomes having median to median-submedian centromeres. Inter-population variability of the karyotype was summarized with cluster analysis. We found that the karyotypes have positively correlated with the altitudes of the natural habitats. The high value of karyotype asymmetry may be attributed to both microenvironment and natural regeneration methods used in oriental spruce.     

Monitoring of genotoxic damage in smokeless tobacco ((Maraş powder) consumers using micronucleated exfoliated oral cells

Mara? powder is a kind of smokeless tobacco used in the south-eastern region of Turkey. The present study was carried out to assess possible DNA damage in exfoliated oral cells of Mara? powder users by analysing the frequencies of micronuclei (MN), which is a simple and reliable biomarker for genotoxic damage and to screen for the detection of site-specific differences in the frequencies of MN. The mean (±SD) MN frequency in the inner lip mucosa site was 1.27(±0.55) % for Mara? powder users and 0.88(±0.47) % for non-smoking control subjects (p < 0.05) and 0.82(±0.40) % for the buccal site of Mara? powder users (p < 0.01). There was no significant site-specific difference between the inner lip site and the buccal mucosa site 0.73(±0.43) % in the MN frequency of non-smoking control subjects (p > 0.05). There was no significant effect of daily consumption of Mara? powder, and duration of usage on MN frequencies. The present study suggests that the oral use of smokeless tobacco represents a genotoxic hazard and also that use of MN from a single site may be misleading as a marker of genotoxic exposure. Habitual use of Mara? powder should be taken into account and could be considered unsafe.     

Cytogenetic analysis of buccal cells from shoeworkers and pathology and anatomy laboratory workers exposed to n-hexane,toluene, methyl ethyl ketone and formaldehyde

People employed in the shoe manufacture and repair industry are at an increased risk for cancer, the strongest evidence being for nasal cancer and leukaemia. A possible causal role for formaldehyde is likely for cancer of the buccal cavity and nasopharynx. Exfoliated buccal cells are good source of tissue for monitoring human exposure to inhaled and ingested occupational and environmental genotoxicants. To assess the cytogenetic damage related to occupational exposure to airborne chemicals during shoe-making and the processes in pathology and anatomy laboratories, the micronuclei (MN) count per 3000 cells was measured in buccal smears from shoe-workers (group I, n = 22) exposed to mainly n-hexane, toluene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and from anatomy and pathology staff (group II, n = 28) exposed to formaldehyde (FA). Eighteen male university staff were used as controls. The mean time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of n-hexane, toluene and MEK in 10 small shoe workshops were 58.07 p.p.m., 26.62 p.p.m. and 11.39 p.p.m., respectively. The measured air concentrations of FA in the breathing zone of the anatomy and pathology laboratory workers were between 2 and 4 p.p.m. Levels of 2,5-hexadione (2,5-HD) and hippuric acid (HA), metabolic markers of n-hexane and toluene exposure, respectively, were significantly higher in the urine of workers in group I than in control subjects (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). The mean (±SD) MN frequencies in buccal mucosa cells from workers in group I, group II and controls were 0.62±0.45%, 0.71±0.56% and 0.33±0.30%, respectively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 compared with controls for group I and group II, respectively). The effects of smoking, age and duration of exposure on the frequency of micronucleated buccal cells from workers in all three groups studied were also evaluated. Overall, the results suggest that occupational exposure to organic solvents, mainly n-hexane, toluene, MEK and FA, may cause cytogenetic damage in buccal cells and that use of exfoliated buccal cells seems to be appropriate to measure exposure to organic solvents.