Enhanced Phytoremediation Capacity of Chenopodium album L. Grown on Pb-Contaminated Soils Using EDTA and Reduction of Leaching Risk

Leaching of metals due to enhanced mobility during ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-assisted phytoextraction has been demonstrated as one of the potential hazards associated with this technology. This study was conducted to determine phytoextraction efficiency of Chenopodium album L. for Pb and EDTA-assisted (1.5, 3, and 9 mmol kg^?1) phytoextraction and potential for leaching of Pb. The results demonstrated that BCF_shoot (bioconcentration factor) was relatively higher than the BCF_root. Translocation factor in the shoot was higher than the roots. Thus, plant species would be applicable for Pb phytoextraction. EDTA enhanced translocation of Pb from roots to shoots. Lead content in the plant parts was maximum in the shoot and root of 9EDTA and 3EDTA, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between 3EDTA and 9EDTA. Lead concentration in the plant parts increased significantly from vegetative stage into flowering stage. Lead content taken up by the plant was lowest when EDTA was applied in a single dose. Therefore, application of EDTA in several increments rather than a single split reduced the leaching risk. Totally, optimum phytoextraction was observed when 3 mmol kg^?1 EDTA was added in triple dosage 60 days after the plant cultivation under triple application mode. The results indicated the plant has the potential for Pb phytoextraction, but it should not be used unless the biomass containing such accumulated metal is removed for disposal. Significant improvement over current ETDA-assisted phytoextraction of Pb may be possible but should be implemented cautiously because of environmental risk.     

Phosphorus deprivation effects on water relations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana tabacum</Emphasis> plant via reducing plasma membrane permeability

Plants grown in phosphorus-deprived solutions often exhibit disruption of water transport due to reduction in root hydraulic conductivity (Lp_r). To uncover the relationship between root Lp_r and water permeability coefficient (P_f) of plasma membrane and the role of aquaporins, we evaluated P_f of plasma membrane and also PIP-type aquaporin gene expression in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plant roots after seven days P-deprivation. The results showed significant reduction in sap flow rate (J_v) and osmotic root hydraulic conductivity (L_pr-o) in P-deprived roots. These effects were reversed 24 h after P-resupplying. Interestingly, the P_f of root protoplasts was 57% lower in P-deprived plants compared with P-sufficient ones. The expression of NtPIP1;1 and NtPIP2;1 aquaporins did not change significantly in P-deprived plants compared with P-sufficient ones, but the copy number of NtAQP1 increased significantly in P-deprived plants. P-deprivation did not change Lpr-o significantly in antisense NtAQP1 plants. Taken together, these findings suggest that P-deprivation may play an important role in modulation of root hydraulic conductivity by affecting P_f in transcellular pathway of water flow across roots and aquaporins. Finally, we concluded that dominant water transport pathway under P-deprivation was transcellular one.     

High Efficiency Tunable Graphene-Based Plasmonic Filter in the THz Frequency Range

Plasmonics - A tunable plasmonic filter waveguide with indium antimonide activated by graphene layer configuration is proposed and numerically investigated. We demonstrate that the proposed tunable...     

Effects of crocin in reducing DNA damage,inflammation, and oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis patients: A double‐blind,randomized, and placebo‐controlled trial

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the nerve cells, resulting in neurological disorders. Oxidative stress, free radicals, and neuritis have important roles in MS pathogenesis. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of crocin on inflammatory markers, oxidative damage, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in the blood of patients with MS. A total of 40 patients were divided into two groups, drug and placebo‐treated groups, using random assignment. Participants of the intervention and control groups received two crocin capsules or placebo per day for 28 days, respectively. Findings revealed a significant decrease in the level of important pathogenic factors in MS, including lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, and interleukin 17 as well as a significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity in the serum of patients treated with crocin compared with the placebo group. Our results suggest the beneficial and therapeutic effects of crocin in MS.     

Role of thrombin in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an arterial disease associated with inflammation. Thrombin is a procoagulant and proinflammatory serine protease that contributes to the pathology of atherosclerosis by enhancing the expression of cell adhesion molecules, inducing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, activating inflammatory responses in atherosclerotic plaques, stimulating proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells, and exacerbating vascular lesions at sites of injury. Hence, thrombin appears to be an important target for treatment of atherosclerosis and thrombin pharmacological inhibitors have significant therapeutic potency for suppressing inflammatory responses in cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes the proinflammatory signaling functions of thrombin as well as the therapeutic potency of thrombin inhibitors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hence their potential therapeutic value in this condition.     

Digestive proteolytic activity in the pistachio green stink bug,Brachynema germari Kolenati (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Proteolytic activity in the digestive system of the pistachio green stink bug, Brachynema germari, was investigated. The maximum total proteolytic activity in the midgut extract was observed at pH 5, suggesting the presence of cysteine proteases. Hydrolyzing the specific substrates for cysteine proteases revealed the presence of cathepsin B and cathepsin L activities in the midgut extract. The presence of cysteine proteases was confirmed by their noticeable inhibition and activation due to specific inhibitors and activators, respectively. The significant inhibition of chymotryptic activity by the inhibitors showed the presence of chymotrypsin in the midgut. No considerable tryptic activity was observed in the midgut extract. There was no detectable total proteolytic activity in the salivary gland extract. Tryptic activity of the salivary gland extract was also inhibited by the specific inhibitors. The substrates for cysteine proteases were also slightly hydrolyzed by the salivary gland extract. Zymogram analysis showed at least one distinct band due to cysteine protease activity in the midgut extract, and the cysteine protease inhibitor caused almost complete disappearance of the band. Cathepsin B and L activities were mainly detected in midgut divisions m₁ and m₃, respectively, and maximum chymotrypsin and trypsin activities were observed in m₃. In general, the results revealed the significant presence of cathepsin B, cathepsin L, and chymotrypsin proteases in the midgut extract. The major proteolytic activity in the salivary glands seems to be conducted by trypsin-like proteases.     

Homozygous mutations in fibroblast growth factor 3 are associated with a new form of syndromic deafness characterized by inner ear agenesis, microtia, and microdontia

We identified nine individuals from three unrelated Turkish families with a unique autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by type I microtia, microdontia, and profound congenital deafness associated with a complete absence of inner ear structures (Michel aplasia). We later demonstrated three different homozygous mutations (p.S156P, p.R104X, and p.V206SfsX117) in the fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) gene in affected members of these families, cosegregating with the autosomal recessive transmission as a completely penetrant phenotype. These findings demonstrate the involvement of FGF3 mutations in a human malformation syndrome for the first time and contribute to our understanding of the role this gene plays in embryonic development. Of particular interest is that the development of the inner ear is completely disturbed at a very early stage--or the otic vesicle is not induced at all--in all of the affected individuals who carried two mutant FGF3 alleles.