Risk assessment of heavy metal and metalloid toxicity through a contaminated vegetable (Cucurbita maxima) from wastewater irrigated area: A case study for a site-specific risk assessment in Jhang,Pakistan

The present research was conducted in district Jhang, Pakistan, to evaluate the concentration of metals/metalloids in soil and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) irrigated with domestic wastewater. Data revealed that the levels of metals and metalloids in soil samples from two different sites were below the safe limits except Cd, whereas, in the vegetable, the concentrations of As, Se, Ni, Mo, Pb, Mn, and Cu were above the safe limits. The levels of 12 metals and metalloids in the soil were ranged between 0.14 to 22.76 mg/kg at site-I and 0.16 to 22.13 mg/kg at site-II. The levels of these metals in the vegetable were found 0.35 to 61.13 mg/kg at site-I and 0.31 to 53.63 mg/kg at site-II. The transfer factor at both sites was highest for As and Co. The pollution load index recorded for Se, Cu, Cd, Mo, Pb, and Co was greater than 1. The daily intake of As, Mn, and Mo was above the oral reference dose, which reflects that the intake of pumpkin is not safe for the inhabitants of the selected sites. The control measures should be taken to phytoextract heavy metals and metalloids from polluted sites so as to reduce the health risks.     

Distribution and altitudinal structuring of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in southern Anatolia, Turkey: their relation to human cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The two Old World genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, were both recorded in southern Anatolia in Turkey. Phlebotomus species predominated and comprised about 93% of the entire collection (3,172 specimens). Out of the sixteen species identified, two belonged to the genus Sergentomyia: S. dentata and S. theodori. The remaining fourteen species in the genus Phlebotomus were grouped under four subgenera including some species that are elsewhere known to act as vectors of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Most of the Phlebotomus were P. tobbi (32.5%), but P. papatasi, P. transcaucasicus, P. halepensis, P. galilaeus, P. sergenti, P. syriacus, P. neglectus, P. simici, P. alexandri, P. similis, P jacusieli, P. perfiliewi, and P. brevis were also identified. There were two associations of sand fly fauna with altitudinal gradient; the first one at relatively higher altitudes and the second one at lower altitudes. The transition between these two assemblages was within the range of 800-1,000 m. It is likely that Adana and Hatay provinces are transitional areas between western and eastern Anatolia. Mountains do not appear to be important geographical barriers for sand fly distribution. We also found that the proven vector P. sergenti is a widely distributed species throughout southern Anatolia and this species, together with its closely related species P. similis, shows sympatry in Konya Province.     

Studies on N2-fixing bacteria associated with the salt-tolerant grass,Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth

Summary N₂-fixing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of naturally grown salt tolerant grass (Leptochloa fusca). A broad spectrum of diazotrophs was found to be associated with the roots ofL. fusca. the systematic position of the three isolates, NIAB-1, C-2 and Iso-2 was determined by morphological, biochemical and mol % (G+C) DNA contents. Two isolates were identified asKlebsiella pneumoniae (NIAB-1) andBeijerinckia sp. (Iso-2).¹⁵N enrichment studies confirmed the nitrogen fixing ability of the isolates. The effects of different levels of combined nitrogen (NO ₃ ^– & NH ₄ ⁺ ), pH (5.5–9.0) and salt (NaCl) on nitrogenase activity of the isolates were determined at various time intervals. All isolates exhibited nitrogenase activity even in the presence of 5 mmol/l NO ₃ ^– or NH ₄ ⁺ in a semi-solid medium after 24 h of growth. Maximum nitrogenase activity was observed at alkaline pH and all isolates were able to tolerate up to 3% NaCl in the medium.

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Resumen Se han aíslado bacterias fijadoras de N₂ en la rizosfera del hábitat natural de la graminea halófilaLeptochloa fusca. Un amplio espectro de diazotrofos se encontró asociado con las raíces deL. fusca. La posición sistemática de tres aíslados: NIAB-1, C-2 y Iso-2 se determinó utilizando sus características morfológicas, bioquímicas y el % (G+C) molar del ADN. El aíslado NIAB-1 se identificó comoKlebsiella pneumoniae y el aíslado Iso-2 comoBeijerinckia. sp. Estudios mediante¹⁵N confirmaron la habilidad fijadora de N₂ de los aíslados. Se determinaron periodicamente los efectos de distintos niveles de nitrógeno combinado (NO₃ ^– y NH₄ ⁺), pH (5.5–9.0) y sal (NaCl) en la actividad nitrogenásica de los aíslados. Todas las cepas aísladas mostraron actividad nitrogenásica incluso en presencia de 5mmol/l de NO₃ ^– y NH₄ ⁺ en un medio semisólido desqués de 24 h. de crecimiento. La actividad nitrogenásica máxima se observó a pH alcalino y todos loa aíslados eran capaces de tolerar hasta 3% de NaCl en el medio.

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Résumé Des bactéries fixatrices de l'azote ont été isolées à partir de la rhizosphère de l'herbe halotoléranteLeptochloa fusca développée dans les conditions naturelles. Il a été constaté qu'un large spectre de diazotrophes est associé aux racines de la plante. La position taxonomique de 3 souches isolées, NIAB-1, C-2 et Iso-2, a été déterminée par des critères morphologiques et biochimiques et par le pourcentage de (G+C) de l'ADN. Deux souches on été identifiées commeKlebsiella pneumoniae (NIAB-1) etBeijerinckia sp. (Iso-2). Les études d'enrichissement en¹⁵N ont confirmé l'aptitude des souches à fixer l'azote. les effets de différents niveaux d'azote combiné (NO₃ ^– et NH₄ ⁺), de pH (5.5–9.0) et de sel (NaCl) sur l'activité nitrogénasique des souches ont été déterminés à divers intervalles de temps. Toutes les souches présentent une activité nitrogènase après 24 h de croissance en milieu semi-solide, et cela même en présence de 5 mmol/l de NO₃ ^– ou NH₄ ⁺. L'activité nitrogènase maximum est observée à pH alcalin, et toutes les souches tolèrent jusqu'à 3% de NaCl dans le milieu.

     

Primary structure of the hemoglobin α-chain of rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

The structure of the hernoglobin α-chain of Rose-ringed Parakeet was determined by sequence degradations of the intact subunit, the CNBr fragments, and peptides obtained by digestion with staphylococcal Glu-specific protease and trypsin. Using this analysis, the complete α-chain structure of 21 avian species is known, permitting comparisons of the protein structure and of avian relationships. The structure exhibits differences from previously established avian α-chains at a total of 61 positions, five of which have residues unique to those of the parakeet (Ser-12, Gly-65, Ser-67, Ala-121, and Leu-134). The analysis defines hemoglobin variation within an additional avian order (Psittaciformes), demonstrates distant patterns for evaluation of relationships within other avian orders, and lends support to taxonomic conclusions from molecular data.     

Primary structure of hemoglobin β-chain fromColumba livia (gray wild pigeon)

Primary structure of -chain of pigeon is presented. It was determined by amino acid sequence analysis of intact -chain and its peptides obtained by the enzymatic and chemical cleavage. Comparison of amino acid sequence of the chain with other available data shows 14 Ile, 61 Lys, and 113 Ile as residues specific to pigeon. One important replacement at ₁₁ contact is 55 MetSer.     

Description of Dolichodorus cobbi n. sp. (Nematoda: Dolichodoridae) with Description of Dolichodorus cobbi n. sp. (Nematoda: Dolichodoridae) with Morphometrics and Lectotype Designation of D. heterocephalus Cobb, 1914

Dolichodorus cobbi n. sp. is described and illustrated from soil around roots of "woods" on the Stanley Farm, Scott County, Arkansas. This species is distinguishable from others of the genus by its short tail projection. It is most closely related to D. marylandicus but differs in having a short tail projection, longer stylet, greater body length, larger c value, and also in position of excretory pore. A limited number of Cobb''s original specimens and drawings of D. heterocephalus were examined. A lectotype and paralectotype were designated to establish the taxonomic base for the genus. Cobb''s original modified labeled drawing of D. heterocephalus is also included. Morphometric data on D. heterocephalus from the type locality and several other populations are given. Some variations in female tail shape, body length, and stylet length were noted.     

Isolation of the first trypsin inhibitor from the genusAspergillus

The fungusAspergillus flavipes was grown on a Czapeck sucrose medium; the biomass so obtained was treated with high concentration of sucrose to release intracellular metabolites. Sephadex G-75 chromatography of the latter yielded a pure protein having anti-trypsin activity in vitro.     

Ganglioside biosynthesis in Golgi apparatus of rat liver. Stimulation by phosphatidylglycerol and inhibition by tunicamycin

Golgi vesicles were isolated and purified from rat liver, in which the specific activities of glycosyltransferases (e.g. GM3:CMP-NeuAc sialyltransferase, GD3 synthase; GM3:UDP-GalNAc galactosaminyltransferase, GM2 synthase) were 50-60-times enriched relative to microsomes or total homogenate. Synthesis of gangliosides GM2 and GM1 in such Golgi vesicles is, in the absence of any detergents, stimulated 6-fold and 20-fold respectively by phosphatidylglycerol. Other phospholipids like phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine are also significantly stimulatory. With 50 micrograms Golgi protein and 1 nmol UDP-GalNAc, optimal stimulation of GM2 synthase was obtained with 20 micrograms of phosphatidylglycerol and 7.5 nmol of the lipid acceptor GM3. Under the same experimental conditions this stimulation exceeds (by about 40%) that obtained with optimal amount (200 micrograms) of the detergent octylglucoside. Phosphatidylglycerol, on the other hand, has virtually no stimulatory activity on the synthesis of ganglioside GD3 either in the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+, indicating that facilitation by phospholipid of GM3 transport into Golgi vesicles was not the basis of stimulation of GM2 synthesis. Tunicamycin inhibits the synthesis of gangliosides GM2 and GM1 in isolated Golgi vesicles, but only in the absence of detergents. In the presence of phosphatidylglycerol, GM2 synthesis, for example, was inhibited by 60% by 2 micrograms tunicamycin and more than 85% by 10 micrograms tunicamycin, per 50 micrograms Golgi membrane protein. The inhibition was stronger on GM1 synthesis: 85% with 2.5 micrograms of the antibiotic. The dependence on phosphatidylglycerol and the degree of inhibition by tunicamycin of the synthetic activities are strictly dependent on the intactness of the Golgi vesicles: both phenomena become increasingly less evident when the vesicles are pelleted, and frozen and thawed several times, and completely disappear when the vesicles are solubilized by detergents or disrupted by ultrasonication. Furthermore, tunicamycin inhibition is reversible by increased concentration of phosphatidylglycerol. All these results indicate that phosphatidylglycerol does not stimulate, and tunicamycin does not inhibit, the transferases themselves; rather, the two opposing effects might relate to carrier-mediated transport, e.g. of nucleotide sugars, across Golgi vesicles.     

Rearing, reproductive behaviour and gamma sterilization of fruit fly, Dacus zonatus (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Investigations were made on rearing, reproductive behaviour and gamma sterilization of one-day old male adults of Dacus zonatus. The larvae were successfully reared on an artificial diet based on wheat shorts. Adult emergence ranged from 89–99% with a sex ratio of about 1:1. Mating occurred at dusk and its duration ranged from 8–13 hours. Males mated a second time with the same female but preferred mating if the already mated female was replaced with a sexually mature virgin female. The optimum dosage for inducing sterility amongst one-day old male adults was 12 kR.

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Zusammenfassung Zucht und Fortpflanzungsverhalten von Dacus zonatus (Saunders) wurde untersucht. Die Larven wurden vier Generationen lang an einer Diät aus Weizenkleie, Bierhefe, granuliertem Zucker, Agar, Nipagin, Salzsäure und Wasser gehalten. Die Arbeit gibt Daten über Verpuppungsprozentsatz (69,3%), Puppengewicht, Dauer der Ei + Larvenperiode, Schlüpfen der Adulten, Präovipositionszeit, Fruchtbarkeit, Fertilität und Lebensdauer der Adulten. Die Schlüpfrate der Adulten betrug 89–99%, das Geschlechtsverhältnis lag etwa bei 1:1. Die Kopulation findet während der Abenddämmerung statt, sie dauert 8–13 Stunden. Maximum der Kopulationen zwischen dem 10. und 15. Tag nach dem Schlüpfen. Männchen paarten sich ein zweites Mal mit dem gleichen Weibchen, bevorzugten jedoch geschlechtsreife jung-fräuliche Weibchen. Die Eiablage begann am 2.–7. Tag nach der Paarung, die Eizahl betrug bei gepaarten Weibchen 91–564.Die optimale Dosis zur Erzeugung von 99,3% Sterilität bei Bestrahlung von einem Tag alten Männchen war 12 kR. Die Lebensdauer der Bestrahlten war vermindert.

     

Sea snake (Microcephalophis gracilis) hemoglobin: Primary structure and relationships to other forms

The hemoglobin of the sea snakeMicrocephalophis gracilis was purified and the primary structure of the α and β chains determined. This is the first sea snake hemoglobin structure characterized, and apparently also the first complete structure of any snake hemoglobin (an α chain of a viper was known), allowing judgments of reptilian variants. Variations between the sea snake form and other reptilian forms are large (52–65 differences for the α chains), of similar order as those between the sea snake and avian (56–65 differences) or human (58 differences) forms. Functionally, 19 residues at α/β contact areas and 7 at heme contacts are exchanged in relation to the human α and β chains. Four positions of the sea snake hemoglobin contain residues thus far unique to this form. However, all replacements appear compatible with conserved overall functional properties.