Distribution and contamination pattern of heavy metals from surface sediments in the southern part of Caspian Sea,Iran

This study concentrates on the speciation and distribution patterns of some heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in surface sediments in the southern part of the Caspian Sea, the biggest lake in the world, to obtain an overall classification for the origins of metals in the area using a sequential extraction technique. At all sampling stations, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cu were mostly (>50%) accumulated in the resistant fraction, which indicated that there were no significant anthropogenic inputs of Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cu into the surface sediments of the south Caspian Sea. Guilan province on the west coast of Caspian Sea accumulated higher percentages of non-resistant fractions of Pb and Zn, while Mazandaran and Golestan provinces in the middle and western parts of the Caspian Sea, in the Iranian zone, accumulated higher percentages of non-resistant fractions of Ni and Cu. The present study revealed that the coastal area of the south Caspian Sea is still not seriously contaminated. Cadmium in Guilan and Golestan provinces were dominated by non-resistant fractions (55–69%), which indicated more anthropogenic inputs of Cd on the south coast of the Caspian Sea in comparison with other metals.     

Collagen microcarrier spinner culture promotes osteoblast proliferation and synthesis of matrix proteins

In vitro propagation of osteoblasts in three-dimensional culture has been explored as a means of cell line expansion and tissue engineering purposes. Studies investigating optimal culture conditions are being conducted to produce bone-like material. This study demonstrates the use of collagen microcarrier beads as a substrate for three-dimensional cell culture. We have earlier reported that microcarriers consisting of cross-linked type I collagen support chondrocyte proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. In this study, we investigated the use of collagen microcarriers to propagate human trabecular bone-derived osteoblasts. Aggregation of cell-seeded microcarriers and production of extracellular matrix-like material were observed after 5 d in culture. Expression of extracellular matrix proteins osteocalcin, osteopontin, and type I collagen was confirmed by messenger ribonucleic acid analysis, radioimmunoassay, and Western blot analysis. The efficient recovery of viable cells was achieved by collagenase digestion of the cell-seeded microcarriers. The collagen microcarrier spinner culture system provides an efficient method to amplify large numbers of healthy functional cells that can be subsequently used for further in vitro or transplantation studies.     

Multiple γ-secretase product peptides are coordinately increased in concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of a subpopulation of sporadic Alzheimer's disease subjects

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Alcadeinα (Alcα) is a neuronal membrane protein that colocalizes with the Alzheimer's amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). Successive cleavage of APP by β- and γ-secretases generates the aggregatable amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), while cleavage of APP or Alcα by α- and γ-secretases generates non-aggregatable p3 or p3-Alcα peptides. Aβ and p3-Alcα can be recovered from human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We have previously reported alternative processing of APP and Alcα in the CSF of some patients with sporadic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD (SAD). RESULTS: Using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system that detects total p3-Alcα, we determined levels of total p3-Alcα in CSF from subjects in one of four diagnostic categories (elderly controls, MCI, SAD, or other neurological disease) derived from three independent cohorts. Levels of Aβ40 correlated with levels of total p3-Alcα in all cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that Aβ40 is the most abundant Aβ species, and we propose a model in which CSF p3-Alcα can serve as a either (1) a nonaggregatable surrogate marker for γ-secretase activity; (2) as a marker for clearance of transmembrane domain peptides derived from integral protein catabolism; or (3) both. We propose the specification of an MCI/SAD endophenotype characterized by co-elevation of levels of both CSF p3-Alcα and Aβ40, and we propose that subjects in this category might be especially responsive to therapeutics aimed at modulation of γ-secretase function and/or transmembrane domain peptide clearance. These peptides may also be used to monitor the efficacy of therapeutics that target these steps in Aβ metabolism.     

Plant Resistance to the Moth <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) in Tomato Cultivars

The resistance of 11 tomato cultivars (Ps-6515, Berlina, Poolad, Petoprid-5, Zaman, Matin, Golsar, Sandokan-F1, Golshan-616, Sadeen-95 and Sadeen-21) to the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) was investigated under field conditions. A randomized complete block design was used with three replications. Data analysis indicated that there were significant differences (P?<?0.05) among cultivars regarding leaflet damage, leaf damage, overall plant damage, number of mines per leaf, number of holes on the stem, and fruit. Our findings revealed that the cultivars Berlina, Golsar, Poolad, and Zaman were less suitable cultivars, suggesting that they are more resistant to the tomato moth than the other cultivars. The high density of leaf trichomes present in the cultivars Berlina, Zaman, and Golsar can be one of the possible causes of resistance to T. absoluta. Knowledge of the extent of susceptibility or resistance of cultivars to a pest on a crop is one of the fundamental components of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for any crop.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi induced changes in rhizosphere,essential oil and mineral nutrients uptake in dill/common bean intercropping system

The fundamental aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae on nutrient uptake and distribution in solo cropping and intercropping of common bean Phaseolus vulgaris and dill Anethum graveolens in the field, using a factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors were seven cropping systems including (a) common bean sole cropping (40 plants m^?2), (b) dill sole cropping at different densities (25, 50 and 75 plants m^?2) and (c) the additive intercropping of dill/common bean (25/40, 50/40 and 75/40 plants m^?2), with (+AM) or without (?AM) arbuscular mycorrhiza colonisation. In all cropping systems, AM colonisation improved dry weight and P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn contents of dill plants. Cultivable bacterial community was also increased in the dill/common bean intercropping. Yield of essential oil in dill shoot was improved as a result of AM colonisation and intercropping.