Human Health Risk Assessment of Soils Contaminated with Metal(loid)s by Using DGT Uptake: A Case Study of a Former Korean Metal Refinery Site

The human health risk of soils contaminated with As, Pb, Cu, and Zn was evaluated based on pseudo-total concentrations of metal(loid)s, the physiologically based extraction test (PBET), and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). Non-carcinogenic (NCR) and carcinogenic (CR) risks exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria under both the residential and non-residential scenarios. Human bioavailable concentrations (PBET) were much lower than pseudo-total concentrations. The Hazardous Index of NCR (HI (NCR)) for the PBET in the studied soils was 67% and 94% less than that for pseudo-total concentration, respectively, under the non-residential and residential scenarios. Similarly, CR for the PBET was also 65% and 93% less for the two soils. The concentration of metal(loid)s accumulated in the DGT resin was highly correlated with the PBET-extractable concentration (R² > 0.649). Therefore, for both the CR and HI (NCR), the DGT-calculated risk was linearly related to the PBET-calculated risk for the studied soils under both scenarios. The results suggest that DGT uptake and PBET-extracted concentrations are good surrogates for risk estimation and that both J1 and J2 soils require remediation before their use for residential or non-residential purposes.     

Design,synthesis, and antiprotozoal evaluation of new 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinoline, 1,3-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]isoquinoline and 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinazoline derivatives

Abstract

A series of new 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinoline, 1,3-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]isoquinoline, and 2,4-bis[(substituted-aminomethyl)phenyl]quinazoline derivatives was designed, synthesised, and evaluated in?vitro against three protozoan parasites (Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, and Trypanosoma brucei brucei). Biological results showed antiprotozoal activity with IC₅₀ values in the µM range. In addition, the in?vitro cytotoxicity of these original molecules was assessed with human HepG2 cells. The quinoline 1c was identified as the most potent antimalarial candidate with a ratio of cytotoxic to antiparasitic activities of 97 against the P. falciparum CQ-sensitive strain 3D7. The quinazoline 3h was also identified as the most potent trypanosomal candidate with a selectivity index (SI) of 43 on T. brucei brucei strain. Moreover, as the telomeres of the parasites P. falciparum and Trypanosoma are possible targets of this kind of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, we have also investigated stabilisation of the Plasmodium and Trypanosoma telomeric G-quadruplexes by our best compounds through FRET melting assays.     

Effects of X-rays and Colchicine on Pollen of Trichosanthes anguina L. (Cucurbitaceae)

Pollen grains of M, and C, generation plants of Trichosanthes anguina L. were studied after treatment of seeds with X-rays and colchicine respectively. Pollen sterility increased with increase in X-ray dose and colchicine concentration. The polar axis of X-irradiated populations was shorter than that of controls. But colchicine treatment resulted in larger pollen grains than the controls, although the exine did not increase as much. Ex-perimentally-produced tetraploids had larger pollen grains than diploids and triploids. The triploids were characterised by changes in pore morphology. Of 293 treated plants examined, 11 aberrant plants were isolated in the M, and C, generations. These plants had large and small fertile pollen grains, and also showed treatment effects in external morphology and chromosomal aberration during meiosis. The changes in polar diameter were not associated with variation in chromosomal material.     

Differential antioxidant enzyme and thiol responses of tolerant and non-tolerant clones of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chloris barbata</Emphasis> to cadmium-stress

Tolerant and non-tolerant clones of Chloris barbata Sw. obtained, respectively, from an erstwhile mercury contaminated solid waste dump site near a chloralkali plant and a non-contaminated (control) site were subjected to cadmium-stress by growing the rooted cuttings in water containing CdSO₄, 13 and 130 μM. Differences between the two clones in their response to cadmium-stress were noted in root growth, and also with respect to certain biochemical parameters. Whereas catalase activity decreased and non protein-thiol levels increased in the non-tolerant clone, the level of protein-thiol alone increased significantly in the tolerant clone in response to cadmium-stress. No remarkable differences between the clones, however, were noted with respect to total soluble protein, peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation. Remarkably the two clones responded differently to buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione and/or phytochelatin synthesis, which inhibited root growth significantly in non-tolerant clone but not in the tolerant clone. Buthionine sulfoximine, nonetheless, could potentate cadmium toxicity in either of the clones, but more effectively in the tolerant clone. The high sensitivity of tolerant-clone to the combined treatment of BSO and Cd in the present study could, therefore, be attributed to the cumulative oxidative stress generated synergistically by BSO and Cd.     

Removal characteristics of metal ions using degreased coffee beans: adsorption equilibrium of cadmium(II)

The feasibility of using coffee beans after being dripped and degreased (DCB) as an adsorbent for base metals such as copper(II), zinc(II), lead(II), iron(III) and cadmium(II) were examined. The compositions of the DCB were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electronic micrograph and fluorescent X-ray. It was found that DCB contain sulfur and calcium from the analysis using fluorescent X-ray. The plant cell wall in DCB has the porous structure from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and the specific surface area was determined to be 1.2 m2/g using the specific surface area analyzer. Batch adsorption experiments on DCB were carried out at various pHs in order to elucidate the selectivity of metal ions. All metals were adsorbed at low pH region (3.0-5.0). Of particular interest was the adsorption characteristics of cadmium(II) on DCB. The adsorption isotherm for cadmium(II) at pH 8 fitted with a Langmuir equation to yield an adsorption equilibrium constant of 55.2 mmol dm(-3) and an adsorption capacity of 5.98 x 10(-2) mmol g(-1). The desorption of cadmium(II) was easily achieved over 90% by a single batchwise treatment with an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid at more than 0.01 mol dm(-3). These results suggested that DCB behaves as a cation exchanger.     

Precise Disease Severity Assessment for False Smut Disease of Rice

False smut is a disease of rice inflorescence. The existing systems of disease severity assessment for rice false smut disease are not very sensitive as the ball quality and also the impact of false smut on filled grain number and grain‐filling were not under consideration. Here, a precise assessment method to evaluate the severity of the disease was developed. The ‘yield representative’ (YR) based on ‘mean floret wt.’ and ‘filled grain %’ was simulated for the precise disease severity assessment of rice false smut disease. The single floret weight envisages major yield components irrespective of the type of panicle. Correlation between YR and major yield attributes was studied, and it was observed that YR had significant correlation with ‘filled grain %’ (0.77–0.95) and ‘single spikelet weight’ (0.88–0.98). Significant negative correlation of YR was observed with the chaff percentage, false smut ball number and ball weight. This YR‐based methodology was utilized to assess the disease severity in nine rice cultivars. The disease severity in those nine cultivars was evaluated by the already existing methodologies also. The disease severity measured by the present technique was compared with the disease severity assessed by the old methodologies. The procedure adapted here for disease severity measurement was found to be more informative and useful. It was observed that in case of mild infection, the false smut was enhancing yield attributes. The high‐yielding rice varieties Savitri and Gayatri were found to be tolerant to false smut and may be used as resistant donors.     

High-frequency induction of multiple shoots and clonal propagation from rhizomatous nodal segments of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.—An ethnomedicinal herb of India

Summary This study reports an efficient and direct shoot bud differentiation and multiple shoot induction from nodal segments of underground stoloniferous rhizomes of Houttuynia cordata Thumb. The frequency of shoot bud regeneration was influenced by the type of cytokinin and concentrations. Among the various concentrations used, benzylaminopurine (BAP, 17.74 &#x03BC;M) or kinetin (Kn, 18.58 &#x03BC;M) was found to be most effective for rapid and maximum shoot but differentiation. The number of shoots per explant was higher (20.00&#x00B1;2.61) on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with Kn (18.58 &#x03BC;M) compared to BAP and 6-&#x03B3;-&#x03B3;-(dimethyl-allylamino)-purine (2iP) during initial 40-d-old culture. Subsequent shoot differentiation and multiplication were achieved in MS medium containing 9.29 &#x03BC;M Kn and 15% (v/v) coconut milk. Elongation and growth of multiple shoots were also obtained on MS medium containing either 2.32 &#x03BC;M Kn or 2.46 &#x03BC;M 2iP alone. The rate of shoot multiplication during subcultures declined with an increase in the size of proliferating shoot cluster. Reducing shoot cluster size to three to four shoots and subculturing together in shoot multiplication medium resulted in a better shoot multiplication and growth, which could be maintained for 2 yr. The elongated shoots (&gt;20 mm) were successfully rooted on MS medium supplemented with 19.60 &#x03BC;M indole-3-butyric acid. Regenerated plants were successfully established in soil and were found to be healthy and uniform. The protocol reported in this study can be used for conservation and utilization of elite clone of H. cordata.     

Human MECP2 gene at Q28 arm of X chromosome as a suitable target for monitoring PCR inhibition in a nested, multiplexed HIV-1 DNA detection protocol

Human MECP2 gene located at q28 arm of X chromosome was identified as target for thermal co-amplification with HIV-1 proviral DNA of infected individuals. The selected MECP2 gene-specific primers functioned at a wide range of annealing temperature, extension time and exhibited no significant interaction with pathogen specific primers. A 466 bp PCR amplicon originating from human MECP2 gene was found to be diagnostic for inhibition-free PCR reaction when co-amplified with the HIV-1 target gene in a multiplexed, nested PCR reaction. The 5' end of the MECP2 primers were engineered to position an EcoRI restriction endonuclease site to facilitate rapid cloning in various DNA vector molecules at the corresponding EcoRI sites. Cell mass of Escherichia coli (XL1Blue) harboring the recombinant plasmid when added to pleural fluid of HIV-1 infected individuals co-infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, generated the diagnostic 466 bp MECP2 PCR amplicon as well as the 194 bp PCR amplicon of target gene from M. tuberculosis. The experiment underlined potential of the region spanning nucleotide position 4118099 to 4118552 of human MECP2 gene (NCBI accession number NT_011726.13) as a reliable target for multiplex PCR to accommodate a wide range of thermal cycling and multiplex reaction conditions. In both cases of this study, electrophoresis-based separation of the 466 bp MECP2 fragment and the 232 bp and 194 bp HIV-1 and M. tuberculosis fragments respectively was distinct and unambiguous. The potential of this human MECP2 gene available from human genome or recombinant plasmid as a potent target to monitor PCR inhibition for a range of different PCR reactions is discussed.