Health Risks from Heavy Metals via Consumption of Cereals and Vegetables in Isfahan Province,Iran

The present study was conducted to assess the risks to human health from exposure to arsenic, lead, nickel, zinc, and copper through consumption of wheat, rice, and some vegetables in Isfahan Province, central Iran, using the total non-carcinogenic hazard quotient and cancer risk assessment estimates. Risk contribution from Ni is minimal compared with other metals and it was less than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. The results showed that total non-carcinogenic hazard of As and Pb, were greater than 1, and total cancer risk of As slightly greater than 1 × 10^?4 for all age groups. Therefore, the inhabitants who reside in Isfahan Province may experience the adverse health risks via consumption of cereals and vegetables.     

Decoration of electrical conductive polyurethane-polyaniline/polyvinyl alcohol matrixes with mussel-inspired polydopamine for bone tissue engineering

Electrospinning is a versatile technology for the fabrication of nanofibrous matrixes to regenerate defects. This study aims to develop a functionalized and electroconductive polymeric matrix to improve rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Herein, the influence of the chemical composition of the substrate on homogeneous modification of the surface with mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) is focused. Accordingly, the deposition of PDA on the surface was proved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Morphologies of the scaffolds demonstrated homogeneous decoration of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyurethane (PU)-polyaniline (PANI) matrixes with PDA, while a lower density of mussel-inspired polymer was observed in bare PU-PANI constructs. Although uniform and dense precipitation of PDA reduced conductivity of scaffolds 1.2 times compared with the samples with a low density of the PDA, 1.1 and 1.2 times enhancement in tensile strength and Young's modulus, respectively, were the strength of the applied process, especially in bone tissue engineering area. Contact angle measurements demonstrated about two times reduction in measured values, which shows improvement in hydrophilicity of PDA-modified PVA/PU-PANI fibers compared with PDA-coated PU-PANI ones. Swelling ratio and mass loss ratio calculations revealed enhancement in measured values as a function of homogeneous and dense coating, which arise from hydrophilicity of the polymeric substrate. The bioactivity test indicated that a dense layer of PDA strongly supports formations of hydroxyapatite-like crystals. Moreover, homogeneous decoration of conductive matrixes with PDA showed suitable cell viability, adhesion, and spreading while cell-scaffolds interactions improved under electrical stimulation. Higher expression of alkaline phosphatase and secretion of Collagen I under the electrical field proved the applicability of modified electroconductive scaffolds for further preclinical and clinical studies to introduce as a reconstructive bone substitute.     

Monte Carlo dose calculation of GZP6 60Co stepping source based on a matrix shift technique

Background

As a routine method for stepping source simulation, a Monte Carlo program is run according to the number of steps and then the summation of dose from each run is taken to obtain total dose distribution. This method is time consuming.

Aim

As an alternative method, a matrix shift based technique was applied to simulate a stepping source for brachytherapy.

Materials and methods

The stepping source of GZP6 brachytherapy unit was simulated. In a matrix shift method, it is assumed that a radiation source is stationary and instead the data matrix is shifted based on the number of steps. In this study, by running MCNPX program for one point and calculation of the dose matrix using the matrix shift method, the isodose curves for the esophageal cancer tumor lengths of 4 and 6 cm were obtained and compared with the isodose curves obtained by running MCNPX programs in each step position separately (15 and 23 steps for esophageal cancer tumor lengths of 4 and 6 cm, respectively).

Results

The difference between the two dose matrixes for the stepping and matrix shift methods based on the average dose differences are 3.85 × 10⁻⁴ Gy and 5.19 × 10⁻⁴ Gy for treatment length of 4 cm and 6 cm, respectively. Dose differences are insignificant and these two methods are equally valid.

Conclusions

The matrix shift method presented in this study can be used for calculation of dose distribution for a brachytherapy stepping source as a quicker tool compared to other routine Monte Carlo based methods.     

Evaluation of satellite data efficiency in identification of plant groups

Application of remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) techniques has been increased in natural sciences. In fact, it is inevitable applying of these techniques in vegetation studies due to the existence of some problems in traditional methods (e.g. sampling, calculation, analysis and so on). On this scope, scientists must have sufficient information about the efficiency of these techniques as a useful tool in their studies. This study aims to evaluate the IRS-P6 LISS III and Landsat ETM⁺ efficiency in plant groups’ identification. In order to this purpose, 143 training samples were collected from areas that showed homogenous composition of plant species in at least area of 3600 m² (60 × 60 m). Coordinates of these training samples were recorded using a GPS device and transferred to a GIS database. Also, ENVI 4.2 package has used to process and analyze the satellites data. Several methods of processing such as; spectral separability, supervised classification and assessment of classification accuracy were used in order to gain a satisfy evaluation of the data efficiency. The results indicated that net farming of alfalfa and Juniperus polycarpus–Artemisia kopetdaghensisi community have the most separability on the satellite images (1.99 for Landsat and 2 for IRS). Against, the least separabilities on the Landsat data were between Ju. polycarpus–Onobrychis cornuta and Ju. polycarpus–Ar. kopetdaghensis communities (1.57) and between Ju. polycarpus–Ar. kopetdaghensis and Ju. polycarpus–Agropyron intermedium (1.53) on the IRS data. According to these results, it is concluded that the satellite data are somedeal able to identify plant groups when vegetation communities are sufficiently homogenous, abundant and spectrally and ecologically separable.     

A comparison of the wild food plant use knowledge of ethnic minorities in Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, SW China

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Wild food plants (WFPs) contribute to the nutrition, economy and even cultural identity of people in many parts of the world. Different factors determine the preference and use of WFPs such as abundance, availability, cultural preference, economic conditions, shortage periods or unsecure food production systems. Understanding these factors and knowing the patterns of selection, use and cultural significance and value of wild food plants for local communities is helpful in setting priorities for conservation and/or domestication of these plants. Thus in this study knowledge of wild food plant use among four groups namely Dai, Lahu, Hani and Mountain Han in Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve ((NRWNNR), Xishuangbanna were documented and analyzed to find the similarity and difference among their plant use. METHODS: Data on wild food plant use was collected through freelisting and semi-structured interviews and participatory field collection and direct observation. Botanical plant sample specimens were collected, prepared, dried and identified. RESULTS: A total of 173 species and subspecies from 64 families and one species of lichen (Ramalina sp.) are used as WFP. There were differences on the saliency of wild food plant species among four ethnic groups. Consensus analysis revealed that knowledge of wild food plant use for each ethnic group differs from others with some variation in each group. Among informant attributes only age was related with the knowledge if wild food plant use, whereas no significant relationship was found between gender and age*gender and informants knowledge of wild food plant use. CONCLUSION: Wild food plants are still used extensively by local people in the NRWNNR, some of them on a daily base. This diversity of wild food plants provide important source of nutrients for the local communities which much of their caloric intake comes from one or few crops. The results also show the role of ethnicity on the preference and use of wild food plants. There is a big potential for harvesting, participatory domestication and marketing of WFPs especially in the tourism sector in the area.     

Fatty Acid Patterns of Seeds of Some Salvia Species from Iran – A Chemotaxonomic Approach

In this study, the seed oil content and fatty acid (FA) profile of 21 populations from 16 wild Salvia species of Iran were analyzed by GC. Patterns of chemical variations of the oils among species were identified via numerical analyses and also the taxonomic status of the infrageneric grouping was outlined in the genus. Salvia species were scored based on the contents of main FAs using principal coordinate analysis (PCO). The results showed that the total oil content in the seeds varied significantly, and ranged from 6.68 to 38.53% dry weight. α‐Linolenic (18:3ω3, 1.69 – 53.56%), linoleic (18:2ω6, 13.04 – 60.64%), oleic (18:1ω9, 6.15 – 27.06%), palmitic (16:0, 3.77 – 9.27%), and stearic (18:0, 1.78 – 3.05%) acid were identified as five major FAs in the oils. The amount of ω‐3 and ω‐6 FAs ranged between 1.90 – 53.80% and 13.46 – 60.83% of total FAs in the seed oils, respectively. The results confirmed that FA profiles were distinctive among the species and that they can be used as chemotaxonomic markers. The discrimination of Salvia species according to their botanical classification at intersectional level was supported. In general, seed oils of Salvia species were rich sources of polyunsaturated FAs, except in linoleic and α‐linolenic acid, and may be valuable for food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Impact of prolonged oocyte incubation time before vitrification on oocyte survival,embryo formation,and embryo quality in mice

Oocyte incubation time before freezing is one of the factors affecting oocyte vitrification. In the assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, it is sometimes decided to perform oocyte vitrification after a long period of incubation time due to various conditions, such as inability to collect semen samples, unsuccessful urological interventions (PESA, TESE, etc.), or unexpected conditions. A time factor of up to 6 h has been studied in the available reports. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate oocyte incubation time before freezing at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after retrieval. Metaphase II (MII) oocytes were obtained from NMRI female mice after being randomly divided into the five groups of 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h of freezing via hormonal stimulation following retrieval and entered into the vitrification-warming process. The thawed oocytes were evaluated according to the survival criteria and then inseminated with the sperms of male mice for in vitro fertilization. The next day, the embryo formation rate and embryo quality were assessed. Our results demonstrated that even after 24 h of incubation, the survival rate of oocytes was 51.35% with the embryo formation rate of 73.21%. However, the survival and embryo formation rates significantly decreased within 12, 18, and 24 h after retrieval compared to the groups vitrified at 0 h. The embryo quality was significantly reduced by vitrification at 0 to 24 h after retrieval. According to our data, although a prolonged incubation time before freezing reduced the survival rate, there was still a chance for oocytes to stay alive with acceptable embryo formation and quality rates after vitrification warming of oocytes.     

Effects of restoration treatments on the diaspore bank under dense Pteridium stands in the UK

Abstract. The diaspore bank (seeds of higher plants and spores of ferns and bryophytes) was assessed between 3 and 5 yr after experiments to control Pteridium aquilinum (bracken) and restore appropriate vegetation were initiated at two contrasting locations in the UK. We tested the response of the diaspore bank using univariate and multivariate analysis of variance. The two approaches were complementary and together improved the interpretation of these results. There were considerable differences in the diaspore banks of the two sites and among the experimental locations within sites. Within each experiment there were differences in species composition, with species that were (1) common to both diaspore bank and vegetation, (2) restricted to the diaspore bank and (3) restricted to the vegetation. There is a possibility of increasing the biodiversity of the developing vegetation if some of the species present in the diaspore bank can be germinated. This was especially true for ferns where four species were found in the spore bank which were not present in the vegetation. There were few significant effects of management treatment on the diaspore bank as the experiments had been in progress for only 3 to 5 yr, but a few species had different densities in the different treatments (Betula pubescens, Juncus effusus and some bryophytes). The greatest correlation between vegetation and diaspore bank was found at the top hierarchical level (entire dataset) and this progressively reduced with scale. We interpret this as a landscape/species pool effect: as the scale of the study reduces the correlation between diaspore bank and vegetation also reduces, at least over the time scale of our study. The relevance of these results for restoration ecology is discussed briefly.     

Compensatory growth in juvenile roach Rutilus caspicus: effect of starvation and re‐feeding on growth and digestive surface area

The aim of this study was to investigate compensatory growth in juvenile Rutilus caspicus during starvation and re‐feeding periods. The results confirmed the existence of compensatory growth in R. caspicus which depended on the duration of food deprivation. Complete compensatory growth occurred in the fish that were food deprived for at least 3 weeks. Starvation and re‐feeding had no significant effect on the digestive somatic index and intestinal surface areas in the fish that were food deprived for 1 week, while they showed a significant decrease and increase, during starvation and re‐feeding in the fish that were food deprived for 2 and 3 weeks. This knowledge may have application in aquaculture, as appropriate exploitation of compensatory growth can give increased growth rate and feeding efficiency.