Chromium Phytoaccumulation from Solution by Selected Hydrophytes

There is increasing interest in the role of wetland plants in the aquatic phytoremediation of toxic metals. In this experiment, we evaluate the Cr removal capacity of four hydrophyte species (Nasturtium officinale L., Veronica beccabunga L., Mentha longifolia L., R.Br., Cardamine uliginosa L.) under varying nutritional conditions (full-strength and half-strength solution cultures), and over a range of Cr concentration (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg L^-1). The results indicate that Cr accumulation is affected by both initial Cr concentration and strength of the nutrient solution. Phytoaccumulation increased with initial Cr concentration and plants grown in the full-strength solution accumulated more Cr at the higher initial solution concentration. Cr was predominantly accumulated in the roots, with minimal shoot translocation, which limits the hazard of Cr entering the food chain through ingestion by animals. Accumulation was large and reached up to 6700 mg Cr Kg^-1 in the roots of Veronica beccabunga.     

Interferometric optical fiber sensor for optoacoustic endomicroscopy

Optical fiber sensors can offer robust and miniaturized detection of wideband ultrasound, yielding high sensitivity and immunity to electromagnetic interference. However, the lack of cost-effective manufacturing methods prevents the disseminated use of these sensors in biomedical applications. In this study, we developed and optimized a simple method to create optical cavities with high-quality mirrors for acoustic sensing based on micro-manipulation of UV-curable optical adhesives and electroless chemical silver deposition. This approach enables the manufacturing of ultrasound sensors based on Fabry-Pérot interferometers on optical fiber tips with minimal production costs. Characterization and high-resolution optoacoustic imaging experiments show that the manufacturing process yielded a fiber sensor with a small NEP () over a broad detection bandwidth (25 MHz), generally outperforming conventional piezoelectric based transducers. We discuss how the new manufacturing process leads to a high-performance acoustic detector that, due to low cost, can be used as a disposable sensor.     

Impact of magnetically treated water on the growth and development of tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum var. Turkish)

Magnetism is one of the physical methods affecting water properties. It is considered as an environmental factor that plays a role in the physiological and biochemical reactions. A hydroponic experiment was conducted using four types of treated water (distilled water, magnetically treated distilled water, magnetically treated tap water, and tap water). Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum var. Turkish) were placed in a growth chamber for three weeks. Plants irrigated with magnetically treated distilled water had a significant increase in the physiological parameters including shoot height and root length (P < 0.0001). The same pattern was seen in the photosynthetic rate and protein content, but no significant differences in the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate (P < 0.5601). In contrast, a significant increase of total carbohydrate content was exhibited in plant irrigated with tap water (P < 0.0064). Electron micrographs showed deformed chloroplasts with damaged thylakoid membranes associated with plastoglobules in plants irrigated with tap water and magnetically treated tap water. Lastly, this study suggests that magnetically treated water is an excellent option to improve irrigation methods and thus obtains agricultural production with high efficiency.     

Current and emerging environmentally-friendly systems for fouling control in the marine environment

Following the ban in 2003 on the use of tributyl-tin compounds in antifouling coatings, the search for an environmentally-friendly alternative has accelerated. Biocidal TBT alternatives, such as diuron and Irgarol 1051®,¹ have proved to be environmentally damaging to marine organisms. The issue regarding the use of biocides is that concerning the half-life of the compounds which allow a perpetuation of the toxic effects into the marine food chain, and initiate changes in the early stages of the organisms' life-cycle. In addition, the break-down of biocides can result in metabolites with greater toxicity and longevity than the parent compound.     

Generation of a conditional mouse model to target Acvr1b disruption in adult tissues

Alk4 is a type I receptor that belongs to the transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) family. It takes part in the signaling of TGF‐β ligands such as Activins, Gdfs, and Nodal that had been demonstrated to participate in numerous mechanisms ranging from early embryonic development to adult‐tissue homeostasis. Evidences indicate that Alk4 is a key regulator of many embryonic processes, but little is known about its signaling in adult tissues and in pathological conditions where Alk4 mutations had been reported. Conventional deletion of Alk4 gene (Acvr1b) results in early embryonic lethality prior gastrulation, which has precluded study of Alk4 functions in postnatal and adult mice. To circumvent this problem, we have generated a conditional Acvr1b floxed‐allele by flanking the fifth and sixth exons of the Acvr1b gene with loxP sites. Cre‐mediated deletion of the floxed allele generates a deleted allele, which behaves as an Acvr1b null allele leading to embryonic lethality in homozygous mutant animals. A tamoxifen‐inducible approach to target disruption of Acvr1b specifically in adult tissues was used and proved to be efficient for studying Alk4 functions in various organs. We report, therefore, a novel conditional model allowing investigation of biological role played by Alk4 in a variety of tissue‐specific contexts. genesis 51:120–127, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Anti-adhesion activity of phytochemicals to prevent Campylobacter jejuni biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces

Phytochemistry Reviews - Biofilms provide a protective environment for pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni, the most prevalent foodborne pathogen, and biofilm formation can enhance bacterial...     

Nonlinear multiscale analysis of coronary atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque artery: fluid-structural modeling with micromechanics

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - A unique three-dimensional (3D) computational multiscale modeling approach is proposed to investigate the influence of presence of microcalcification...     

Biomechanical properties of breast tissue,a state-of-the-art review

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - This paper reviews the existing literature on the tests used to determine the mechanical properties of women breast tissues (fat, glandular and tumour...