Enhancement of leaf nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium and seed protein in Vigna radiata by pyridoxine application

Soaking the seeds of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek cv. K-851) in pyridoxine solution significantly enhanced leaf N, P and K concentrations at different growth stages, and seed protein concentration at harvest. Leaf N, P and K were significantly correlated with root length and seed protein. Thus, pyridoxine application not only enhanced the availability of nutrients to plants but also was responsible for the maintenance of a favourable source-sink relationship, thus ensuring more nutritious seeds of mungbean.     

Chromium and Manganese Levels in Biological Samples of Pakistani Myocardial Infarction Patients at Different Stages as Related to Controls

It has been speculated that trace elements may play a role in the pathogenesis of heart diseases In the present study, we aimed to access the levels of chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) in biological samples (whole blood, urine, and scalp hair) of myocardial infarction (MI) patients of both gender age ranged (45?C60?years) at first, second, and third heart attack (n?=?130), hospitalized in cardiac ward of National Hospital of Hyderabad city (Pakistan). For comparison, healthy age-matched referent subjects (n?=?61), of both gender were also selected. The Cr and Mn in biological samples were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity of the methodology was checked by the biological certified reference materials. During this study, 78% of 32 registered patients of third MI attack (aged >50?years) were died. In these subjects the concentration of Cr and Mn were decreased by 24.7% and 19.8% in scalp hair, while in blood samples 17.9% and 12.4%, respectively, as compared to those who tolerated third MI attack (p?=?0.063). Although these data do not prove a causal relationship, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that heart disease may cause deficiencies of certain essential trace elements. The excretion levels of Cr and Mn in urine samples of first MCI were higher than controls at p values (0.029 and 0.011), respectively, whereas the excretion rates of both elements were further enhance after second myocardial infarction attack. The Cr and Mn concentration was inversely associated with the risk of myocardial infarction attacks in both genders. These results add to an increasing body of evidence that, Cr and Mn are importance for cardiovascular health.     

Essential trace and toxic element distribution in the scalp hair of Pakistani myocardial infarction patients and controls

The pathogenesis of heart disease has been associated with changes in the balance of certain trace elements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd contents in scalp hair samples of myocardial infarction (MCI) patients hospitalized in the cardiac ward of National Hospital in Hyderabad city (Pakistan). Scalp hair samples were collected from 193 patients (104 male, 89 female) of 3 age groups (46–60, 61–75, and 76–90 yr), for a comparative study, 200 normal, healthy subjects (103 male, 97 female) of the same age groups residing in the same city were selected. All metals in scalp hair samples were assessed by a flame/graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer, prior to microwave-assisted and conventional wet acid digestion methods. Results were calculated in micrograms per gram. The mean values of Fe and Zn of scalp hair samples of MCI patients were significantly reduced compared to the control subjects of both genders. The mean Fe concentrations in male patients were 19.42, 12.36, and 6.98 vs 30.69, 24.42, and 16.75 for the control patients in the three age groups (46–60, 61–75, and 76–90 yrs, respectively). The mean Zn concentration in male patients were 169.2, 149.4, and 107.7 μg/g vs 206.1, 188.0, and 154.4 μg/g for the control group (p<0.002, 0.004, and 0.001) in all three age groups, respectively. These differences were also observed in the female study groups. The mean values of Pb, Cd, and Ni were significantly high in patients compared to healthy subjects (mean Pb in male patients: 11.85, 12.89, and 14.52 those of female patients were 11.88, 12.73, and 14.21 vs the male controls patients (6.08, 7.56, and 8.56) and female controls (5.99, 7.41, and 8.25) for all three age groups, respectively. The concentration of Ni and Cd in the scalp hair samples of the heart patients of both sexes were significantly higher compared to the control; in the case of Ni the range of significant difference for males was found to be p<0.001–0.009 and for females to be p<0.0.002–0.007 and significantly high concentration of Cd were observed in hair samples of patients than in controls in the range for males (p<0.001–0.009) and in females (p<0.001–0.011). The Zn/Cu and Zn/Cd ratios in the scalp hair (p<0.01) of the diseased groups were significantly lower than that of the healthy groups. Deficiency of essential trace metals and high level of toxic metals might play a role in the development of heart disease in the subjects of this study. Toxic metals might also cause diminished absorption of essential elements.     

One-pot conjugated linoleic acid production from castor oil by Rhizopus oryzae lipase and resting cells of Lactobacillus plantarum

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has attracted as novel type of fatty acids having unusual health-promoting properties such as anticarcinogenic and antiobesitic effects. The present work employed castor oil as substrate for one-pot production of CLA using washed cells of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) and lipases as catalysts. Among the screened lipases, the lipase Rhizopus oryzae (ROL) greatly assisted resting cells to produce CLA. Mass spectral analysis of the product showed that two major isomers of CLA were produced in the reaction mixture i.e. cis-9, trans-11 56.55% and trans-10, cis-12 43.45%. Optimum factors for CLA synthesis were found as substrate concentration (8 mg/mL), pH (6.5), washed cell concentration (12% w/v), and incubation time of 20 h. Hence, the combination of ROL with L. plantarum offers one pot production of CLA selectively using castor oil as a cost-effective substrate.     

Distribution of Copper, Iron, and Zinc in Biological Samples (Scalp Hair, Serum, Blood, and Urine) of Pakistani Viral Hepatitis (A–E) Patients and Controls

The aim of the present study was to compare the level of copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in biological samples (serum, blood, urine, and scalp hair) of patients suffering from different viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E; n?=?521) of both gender age ranged 31–45 years. For comparative study, 255 age-matched control subjects, of both genders residing in the same city were selected as referents. The elements in the biological samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked by using certified reference materials (CRMs) and with those values obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method on same CRMs. The results of this study showed that the mean values of Cu and Fe were higher in blood, sera, and scalp hair samples of hepatitis patients, while Zn level was found to be lower than age-matched control subjects. The urinary levels of these elements were found to be higher in the hepatitis patients than in the age-matched healthy controls (p?<?0.05). These results are consistent with literature-reported data, confirming that the deficiency of zinc and hepatic iron and copper overload can directly cause lipid peroxidation and eventually hepatic damage.     

Chromium and Manganese Levels in Biological Samples of Normal and Night Blindness Children of Age Groups (3–7) and (8–12) Years

This study was designed to compare the levels of chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) in scalp hair, blood, and urine of night blindness in children age ranged (3–7) and (8–12) years of both genders, comparing them to sex- and age-matched controls. A microwave-assisted wet acid digestion procedure, was developed as a sample pretreatment, for the determination of Cr and Mn in biological samples of night blindness children. The proposed method was validated by using conventional wet digestion and certified reference samples of hair, blood and urine. The digests of all biological samples were analyzed for Cr and Mn by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicated significantly higher levels of Cr, whilst low level of Mn in the biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of male and female night blindness children, compared with control subjects of both genders. These data present guidance to clinicians and other professional investigating deficiency of Mn and excessive level of Cr in biological samples (scalp hair and blood) of night blindness children.