Tissue Concentrations Research Articles

Iron and Manganese concentrations in leaf tissues of Rhizophora mangle (Rhizophoraceae): implications for energetic metabolism

Introduction: Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are bioessential micronutrients for plants but can impair the energetic metabolism when present at high levels. Objective: To assess the photosynthetic performance and oxidative damages in Rhizophora mangle L. leaf tissues at low and high concentrations of Fe (74 and 195 mg kg-1; Feleaf) and Mn (65 and 414 mg kg-1; Mnleaf). Methods: Photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a fluorescence, leaf CO2 assimilation and gas exchange and DPPH• radical scavenging capacity were sampled in R. mangle growing in estuarine forests in the North region of Espírito Santo State and the extreme South of Bahia State (Brazil) showing low and high Feleaf and Mnleaf. Results: Effects of high Fe and Mn were not identified on pigment levels. The increase in Feleaf and Mnleaf at the levels observed in this assessment had a positive effect on the number of reaction centers and on the efficiency of the oxygen-evolving complex, evaluated as K-band, while no changes were found in the parameters related to the excitation trapping efficiency at the active center of photosystem II. Distinct interference patterns of Fe and Mn on the functional processes of photosynthesis were identified, especially on CO2 assimilation and reactive oxygen species metabolism, with major effects on CO2 assimilation and carboxylation efficiency of Rubisco at high Mnleaf. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the efficiency of R. mangle in positively regulating the electron transport chain in response to high Fe and Mn, at least in terms of the preservation of structure and functionality of the plant photosynthetic apparatus. Moreover, interference of high Mnleaf in R. mangle occurs at non-stomatal and biochemical levels. There is an antagonistic interference of these trace elements with the physiology of R. mangle, which is a dominant species in Brazilian mangroves.

Characterization of the Bioavailability of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Farmland Soils and the Factors Impacting Their Translocation to Edible Plant Tissues.

In this study, various crops and farmland soils were collected from the Fen-Wei Plain, China, to investigate the bioavailability of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), their accumulation in edible plant tissues, and the factors impacting their accumulation. PFAS were frequently detected in all of the crops, with total concentrations ranging from 0.61 to 35.8 ng/g. The results of sequential extractions with water, basic methanol, and acidic methanol indicate that water extraction enables to characterize the bioavailability of PFAS in soil to edible plant tissues more accurately, especially for the shorter-chain homologues. The bioavailability of PFAS was remarkably enhanced in the rhizosphere (RS) soil, with the strongest effect observed for leafy vegetables. The water-extracted Σ16PFAS in RS soil was strongly correlated with the content of dissolved organic carbon in the soil. Tannins and lignin, identified as the main components of plant root exudates by Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, were found to enhance the bioavailability of PFAS significantly. Redundancy analysis provided strong evidence that the lipid and protein contents in edible plant tissues play important roles in the accumulation of short- and long-chain PFAS, respectively. Additionally, the high water demand of these tissues during the growth stage greatly facilitated the translocation of PFAS, particularly for the short-chain homologues and perfluorooctanoic acid.

Metabolism Capacity of Medium Chain Fatty Acids from Virgin Coconut Oil: an In Vivo Study

In this study, the types of fatty acids in the liver tissue of mice were evaluated under different diets. As a result, mice fed with a high-fat diet – including basic pellets mixed with eight percent (w/w) peanut oil, two percent (w/w) cholesterol, and 0.1% (w/w) calcium carbonate – showed the highest cholesterol content (1.5 ± 0.08 mg/100 g) compared to normal mice (0.23 ± 0.04 mg/100 g). Whereas the cholesterol content in the liver tissue of mice fed with basic pellets and orally treated with a free fatty acid fraction (FFA1) from virgin coconut oil, which was made up of the C8:0–C12:0 fraction (97.3%) was prepared did not differ from the control group (using only standard pellets). This demonstrated that MCFA (C8:0–C12:0) was directly consumed and converted to energy without accumulating cholesterol. The gas chromatography analysis result showed that the fat droplets in the liver tissues of treated mice were mostly saturated long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), in which C16:0 and C18:0 carbon chain length fatty acids were predominant in the liver tissue. The results confirmed the hypothesis that MCFA is preferentially absorbed and converted to energy while saturated LCFA has a tendency to induce fat accumulation in the metabolic pathway.

Transcriptome and proteomic analysis reveal the protective mechanism of acupuncture on reproductive function in mice with asthenospermia

Acupuncture is an integral component of complementary and alternative medicine that has been reported to enhance sperm motility, improve semen quality, and consequently augment male fertility. However, the precise mechanisms of action and the underlying molecular pathways remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms through which acupuncture improves reproductive function in a mouse model of cyclophosphamide-induced asthenozoospermia. We collected sperm from the epididymis for semen analysis, collected serum to determine gonadotropin and oxidative stress marker levels, conducted histological examination of testicular tissue using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and observed mitochondrial morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We also assessed oxidative stress levels and total iron content in testicular tissue and validated the proteomic and transcriptomic analysis results of testicular tissue using real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), protein imprinting analysis, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Our results indicate that acupuncture enhances sperm quality in asthenozoospermic mice; increases serum testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels; and attenuates oxidative damage, iron accumulation, and mitochondrial injury in mouse testicular tissues. Through protein and transcriptomic analyses, we identified 21 key genes, of which cytochrome b-245 heavy chain (CYBB), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1 (ACSL1), and ferritin mitochondria (FTMT) were closely associated with ferroptosis. RT-qPCR, protein imprinting, and immunofluorescence (IF) analyses collectively indicated that acupuncture reduced ACSL1 and CYBB expression, and increased GPX4 and FTMT expression. Overall, the ferroptosis pathway associated with ACSL1/CYBB/FTMT/GPX4 represents a potential strategy through which acupuncture can improve the reproductive function in asthenozoospermic mice.

Performance of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis under variable environmental conditions and anthropogenic pressure: A survey of two distinct farming sites in the Adriatic Sea

Changes in natural conditions and anthropogenic pollutants, alone or in combination, pose a significant challenge to coastal bivalve populations. The susceptibility of economically important bivalves to potential stressors in their farming environment has not been sufficiently investigated, despite the increase in anthropogenic pressure along the coast and the remarkable warming of seawater in recent years. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from two important farming sites in the eastern Adriatic, namely Mali Ston Bay (MSB) and Lim Bay (LB), in relation to variations of seawater parameters, reproductive cycle dynamics and tissue content of potentially harmful pollutants. The complex seasonal and site-specific patterns of chemical pollutants were determined, with tissue levels of metals, As, PAHs and PCBs largely comparable to those previously reported for the Mediterranean region. Concentrations of organochlorinated pesticides were below the level of detection. Significantly higher Cd, As and Hg concentrations were detected in the tissues of the MSB mussels. The reproductive cycle was clearly associated with the bioaccumulation of pollutants. All biochemical response parameters varied to some extent across seasons and/or between farming sites. A very pronounced seasonality was recorded for acetylcholinesterase and glutathione S-transferase activity at both sites. Metallothionein concentration and superoxide dismutase activity were generally steady throughout the study period. The most striking difference between the two sites was recorded for lipid peroxides concentrations which were predominantly significantly higher in the MSB mussels, indicating expressed pro-oxidant conditions at this site. In particular, significant correlations were found between lipid peroxides and the potentially toxic metals (Cd, As, Hg) accumulated in the mussel tissue. Data reported here are valuable as baseline information for further studies related to stress in farmed bivalves caused by oscillations of environmental factors and increasing anthropogenic pressure along the coastline.

Coronaridine congeners induce anticonvulsant activity in rodents by hippocampal mechanisms involving mainly potentiation of GABAA receptors

The coronaridine congeners catharanthine and 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC) display sedative, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties by acting on mechanisms involving GABAergic and/or monoaminergic transmissions. Here, we expanded their pharmacological properties by studying their anticonvulsant activity in male and female mice using the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure test. To determine potential neurochemical mechanisms, the effect of congeners on monoamine content and kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptiform discharge was studied in the hippocampus. The behavioral results showed that coronaridine congeners induce acute anticonvulsant activity in a dose-dependent but sex-independent manner. Repeated treatment with a subthreshold dose (20 mg/kg) of each congener produced anticonvulsant activity in a sex-independent manner, but was significantly higher in male mice when compared to its acute effect. Using a behaviourally relevant regimen, we found that PTZ increased dopamine metabolites and serotonin tissue content. Coronaridine congeners, which induced distinct effects on monoamines, blunted the effect of PTZ instead of potentiating it, suggesting the existence of another mechanism in their anticonvulsant activity. The electrophysiological results indicated that both congeners inhibit KA-induced epileptiform discharges in hippocampal slices. A key aspect of this study is that the activity of both congeners was observed only in the presence of GABA, supporting the notion that hippocampal GABAAR potentiation plays an important role. Our study showed that coronaridine congeners induce acute anticonvulsant activity in a sex-independent manner. However, a comparatively higher susceptibility was observed in male mice after repeated treatment. The underlying hippocampal mechanisms mainly involve GABAAR potentiation, whereas monoamines play a minor role in the anticonvulsive action.

Identifying Grapevine Rootstocks Tolerant to Copper Excess

The aim of the current study is to identify grapevine rootstocks with the potential to tolerate excessive Cu concentrations. Four grapevine rootstock genotypes were tested: Paulsen 1103, IAC 572, SO4 and Isabel. The plants were cultivated in nutrition solution added to the following treatments: 0.3 µM Cu and 80 µM Cu. Growth, nutrient concentration in tissue and the physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed. Rootstocks showed different growth responses to Cu excess in the solution. SO4, IAC 572 and Isabel markedly reduced growth under Cu excess compared to plants in the control solution, whereas genotype Paulsen 1103 showed a less pronounced effect. The root system of all genotypes presented a Cu increase under a high Cu concentration, as well as higher POD activity and H2O2 concentration than the control. Isabel presented the greatest sensitivity to Cu excess, as shown by leaf wilting and yellowing. Paulsen 1103 rootstock presented smaller changes in the observed parameters in the high Cu concentration solution than in the control solution. Our results indicate that Paulsen 1103 is the most tolerant to Cu excess, whereas Isabel is the most sensitive. There are natural genetic variations in tolerance to this abiotic stress that typically affect grapevine plants.

The Biology and Biochemistry of Kynurenic Acid, a Potential Nutraceutical with Multiple Biological Effects.

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an antioxidant degradation product of tryptophan that has been shown to have a variety of cytoprotective, neuroprotective and neuronal signalling properties. However, mammalian transporters and receptors display micromolar binding constants; these are consistent with its typically micromolar tissue concentrations but far above its serum/plasma concentration (normally tens of nanomolar), suggesting large gaps in our knowledge of its transport and mechanisms of action, in that the main influx transporters characterized to date are equilibrative, not concentrative. In addition, it is a substrate of a known anion efflux pump (ABCC4), whose in vivo activity is largely unknown. Exogeneous addition of L-tryptophan or L-kynurenine leads to the production of KYNA but also to that of many other co-metabolites (including some such as 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid that may be toxic). With the exception of chestnut honey, KYNA exists at relatively low levels in natural foodstuffs. However, its bioavailability is reasonable, and as the terminal element of an irreversible reaction of most tryptophan degradation pathways, it might be added exogenously without disturbing upstream metabolism significantly. Many examples, which we review, show that it has valuable bioactivity. Given the above, we review its potential utility as a nutraceutical, finding it significantly worthy of further study and development.

History and Perspectives of Hyperradical, Laterally Extended Parametrectomy (LEP).

Cervical cancer has been and still is a major global health problem and a major treatment challenge for which surgical interventions have played a key role throughout the past century. In early stages (I/A2-II/B), where high-risk factors are not present, the efficacy of surgical and radiotherapy treatment has been considered equivalent with different (treatment modality specific) complications and quality of life consequences. Negative prognostic factors in early stages of the disease (pelvic lymph-node positivity) and in more advanced stages (parametrial and/or surgical margins' tumor involvement) forecast the deterioration of outlooks for good life expectancy. In these high-risk cases, when radio- or chemoradiotherapy is contraindicated, we investigated the potential role of a more radical surgical approach than the traditional radical hysterectomy. Twenty-five years ago, a hyperradical surgical procedure for the treatment of high-risk cervical cancer patients was introduced in Budapest. The procedure was named as laterally extended parametrectomy (LEP) in Budapest Hungary. The surgical intention was the complete removal of the fibro-fatty tissue content of the pelvis, which contains the lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and tumor-affected pelvic side wall structures. We initiated observational studies on the primary treatment in parametrium and/or lymph-node tumor-positive early-stage cases and on second-line surgical therapy of pelvic side wall recurrent tumors following radiotherapy. Promising results of our observational studies propose that prospective randomized trials are worth to be initiated to clarify the potential of this treatment modality in this poor prognosis cohort of patients.

Novel Drp1 GTPase Inhibitor, Drpitor1a: Efficacy in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Drp1 (dynamin-related protein 1), a large GTPase, mediates the increased mitochondrial fission, which contributes to hyperproliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We developed a potent Drp1 GTPase inhibitor, Drpitor1a, but its specificity, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy in PAH are unknown. Drpitor1a's ability to inhibit recombinant and endogenous Drp1 GTPase was assessed. Drpitor1a's effects on fission were studied in control and PAH human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMC) and blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC). Cell proliferation and apoptosis were studied in hPASMC. Pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations were measured following intravenous and oral drug administration. Drpitor1a's efficacy in regressing monocrotaline-PAH was assessed in rats. In a pilot study, Drpitor1a reduced PA remodeling only in females. Subsequently, we compared Drpitor1a to vehicles in control and monocrotaline-PAH females. Drp1 GTPase activity was increased in PAH hPASMC. Drpitor1a inhibited the GTPase activity of recombinant and endogenous Drp1 and reversed the increased fission, seen in PAH hPASMC and PAH BOEC. Drpitor1a inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in PAH hPASMC without affecting electron transport chain activity, respiration, fission/fusion mediator expression, or mitochondrial Drp1 translocation. Drpitor1a did not inhibit proliferation or alter mitochondrial dynamics in normal hPASMC. Drpitor1a regressed monocrotaline-PAH without systemic vascular effects or toxicity. Drpitor1a is a specific Drp1 GTPase inhibitor that reduces mitochondrial fission in PAH hPASMC and PAH BOEC. Drpitor1a reduces proliferation and induces apoptosis in PAH hPASMC and regresses monocrotaline-PAH. Drp1 is a therapeutic target in PAH, and Drpitor1a is a potential therapy with an interesting therapeutic sexual dimorphism.

Bioaccumulation and behavioral response patterns of crucian carp (Carassius carassius) after carbamazepine exposure and elimination

The antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) has been widely detected in freshwater, yet its toxic actions in fish at multiple endpoints and the subsequent recovery patterns of the impacted are less discussed. This study investigated the bioaccumulation, physiological and behavioral changes of crucian carp (Carassius carassius) following CBZ exposure (G1 = 6.15 μg/L, G2 = 61.5 μg/L, G3 = 615 μg/L, G4 = 6150 μg/L) and subsequent recovery. Our results showed that CBZ was more likely to accumulate in the liver and brain than in the gills. A concentration-dependent phenomenon was observed; however, the residual CBZ decreased to similar levels after recovery. The behavioral indicators (i.e. feeding, social and spontaneous swimming) were significantly inhibited after 7-days of CBZ exposure, and only recovered at low concentration treatment (G1) after 7-days recovery in CBZ-free water. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the liver and gills were induced after CBZ exposure and returned to normal levels after 7-days of recovery. In contrast, the inhibition of catalase (CAT) activity caused by CBZ exposure persisted in the high concentration treatment (G4) after recovery. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated that changes in feeding behavior were closely related to the variation of CBZ concentrations in tissues, and the persistence of abnormal swimming and social behavior was closely related to gill CAT activity. These findings contribute to explore the toxic mechanisms of CBZ and highlight the recovery process and connections between various endpoints.

A multi-nozzle nebuliser does not improve tissue drug delivery during PIPAC

BackgroundMulti-nozzle nebulisers for pressurised intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) are implemented in clinical practice to improve the homogeneity of tissue drug delivery. Nonetheless, the advantages of such devices over one-nozzle nebulisers have not been demonstrated thus far. In this study, we compared the performance of multi- and one-nozzle nebulisers by conducting physical and ex vivo pharmacological experiments.MethodsThe one-nozzle nebuliser Capnopen® and the multi-nozzle nebuliser were the subjects of this study. In physical experiments, the aerosol droplet size was measured by laser diffraction spectroscopy. Spatial spray patterns were depicted on blotting paper. Pharmacological experiments were performed on the enhanced inverted bovine urinary bladder model, demonstrating real-time tissue drug delivery, aerosol sedimentation and homogeneity of doxorubicin and cisplatin tissue distribution.ResultsThe multi-nozzle nebuliser had a sixfold greater aerosolisation flow and a threefold greater angle of aerosolisation than Capnopen®. The aerosol particle size and distribution range were higher than that of Capnopen®. Spray patterns on blotting paper were more extensive with the multi-nozzle nebuliser. Real-time tissue drug delivery with the multi-nozzle nebuliser was over 100 ml within 1 min, and the aerosol sedimentation was 48.9% ± 21.2%, which was not significantly different from that of Capnopen®. The doxorubicin and cisplatin tissue concentrations were greater with Capnopen®. Although there was no significant difference in the homogeneity of doxorubicin distribution between the two devices, the homogeneity of cisplatin distribution was significantly higher with Capnopen®.ConclusionThe multi-nozzle PIPAC nebuliser did not fulfil expectations. Even though the surface spray patterns were broader with the multi-nozzle nebuliser, the tissue drug homogeneity and concentration were greater with Capnopen®.Graphical

Contribution of Continued Dermal Exposure of PFAS-Containing Sunscreens to Internal Exposure: Extrapolation from In Vitro and In Vivo Tests to Physiologically Based Toxicokinetic Models.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely present in sunscreen products as either active ingredients or impurities. They may penetrate the human skin barrier and then pose potential health risks. Herein, we aimed to develop a physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model capable of predicting the body loading of PFASs after repeated, long-term dermal application of commercial sunscreens. Ten laboratory-prepared sunscreens, generally falling into two categories of water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) sunscreens, were subject to in vitro percutaneous penetration test to assess the impacts of four sunscreen ingredients on PFAS penetration. According to the results, two sunscreen formulas representing W/O and O/W types that mostly enhanced PFAS dermal absorption were then selected for a subsequent 30 day in vivo exposure experiment in mice. PBTK models were successfully established based on the time-dependent PFAS concentrations in mouse tissues (R2 = 0.885-0.947) and validated through another 30 day repeated exposure experiment in mice using two commercially available sunscreens containing PFASs (R2 = 0.809-0.835). The PBTK model results suggest that applying sunscreen of the same amount on a larger skin area is more conducive to PFAS permeation, thus enhancing the exposure risk. This emphasizes the need for caution in practical sunscreen application scenarios, particularly during the summer months.

Defining the Spatial Resolution of Analyte Recovery during Microperfusion-Based Sampling of Brain Parenchyma.

The unique architecture of the brain and the blood-brain barrier imposes challenges for the measurement of parenchyma-derived biomarkers that prevent sufficient understanding of transient neuropathogenic processes. One solution to this challenge is direct sampling of brain interstitial fluid via implanted microperfusion probes. Seeking to understand spatial limitations to microperfusion in the brain, we employed computational fluid dynamics modeling and empirical recovery of fluorescently labeled dextrans in an animal model. We found that dextrans were successfully recovered via microperfusion over a 6 h sampling period, especially at probes implanted 2 mm from the dextran infusion point relative to probes implanted 5 mm from the injection site. Experimental recovery was consistently around 1% of simulated, suggesting that this parameter can be used to set practical limits on the maximal tissue concentration of proteins measured in microperfusates and on the spatial domain sampled by our multimodal microperfusion probe.

Correlation Between Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Properties and Sestamibi Uptakes of Parathyroid Glands in Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) characteristics of parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) vary, with unclarity regarding the underlying mechanism. Similarly, 99mTc-sestamibi uptake in diseased parathyroid glands is variable. There is a suggestion that oxyphilic cell content may influence both imaging modalities. This study aims to analyze the relationship between NIRAF imaging characteristics, 99mTc-sestamibi uptake, and cellular composition in pHPT. Retrospective analysis of an Institutional Review Board-monitored prospective database. Single tertiary referral center. NIRAF characteristics of parathyroid glands of patients with pHPT between 2019 and 2024 were compared with 99mTc-sestamibi scan findings from a prospective database. Using third-party software, brightness intensity and heterogeneity index (HI) of the glands were calculated. A subgroup of parathyroid glands obtained from consecutive patients with pHPT in 2020 to 2021 underwent histological analysis. A total of 428 patients with 638 diseased parathyroid glands were analyzed. Forty-seven percent of the glands showed an uptake on 99mTc-sestamibi scans. The brightness intensity of the NIRAF signals from parathyroid glands that were seen versus not seen on sestamibi was 2.1 versus 2.3 (P = .002) and HI 0.18 versus 0.17 (P = .35), respectively. On multivariate analysis, low autofluorescence intensity, high gland volume, and single adenoma were associated with detectability on 99mTc-sestamibi scan (P < .0001). Intraglandular adipose tissue content was lower in diseased glands that were detected on 99mTc-sestamibi scans (0% vs 5%, P < .0001). Our findings indicate an inverse relationship between autofluorescence intensity and detectability on 99mTc-sestamibi scans and a lack of correlation between different cell types and autofluorescence properties.

Paclobutrazol Enhanced Stem Lodging Resistance of Direct-Seeded Rice by Affecting Basal Internode Development.

The objectives of this study were to explore the mechanism of stem mechanical strength in direct-seeded rice (DSR) as affected by paclobutrazol, especially its related endogenous hormone and cell wall component changes in culm tissue and response to the application of paclobutrazol. Field experiments were conducted in Changchun County, Jilin Province, China, by using two japonica rice varieties, Jiyujing and Jijing305, with soaking seeds in paclobutrazol at concentrations of (0 mg L-1, S0; 50 mg L-1; S1; 100 mg L-1; S2; 150 mg L-1, S3; 200 mg L-1, S4) in 2021 and 2022. The results suggest that the application of paclobutrazol increased the grain yield and reduced the lodging rate of DSR. Compared with the S0 treatments, soaking the seeds in paclobutrazol treatments rapidly shortened the length of the basal internode by decreasing the endogenous indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin A3 (GA3) contents in culm tissue. The larger breaking strength (M) was attributed to a higher section modulus (SM) and bending stress (BS). The higher mechanical tissue thickness in culm tissue under paclobutrazol treatments, which was raised by higher endogenous zeatin and zeatin riboside (Z+ZR) content in culm tissue, increased the culm diameter, culm wall thickness, and section modulus (SM) of the internode. Compared with the S0 treatments, soaking the seeds in paclobutrazol treatments increased the cellulose content, lignin content, activities of lignin-related enzymes, and expression of key genes in lignin biosynthesis, as well as resulted in a higher bending stress (BS) to enhance the culm breaking strength (M).

Trace Metal Bioaccumulation in Feral Pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) and Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) Residing in the Urban Environment of Iasi City, Romania.

Nowadays, trace metal contamination within urban atmospheres is a significant and concerning global issue. In the present study, two synanthropic bird species, namely, the feral pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) and the rook (Corvus frugilegus), were employed as bioindicators to assess the atmospheric trace metal pollution in Iasi City, Romania. The concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, and Cu were determined through high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF-AAS) of various tissues, including the liver, kidney, lung, heart, muscle, and bone, of feral pigeons and rooks collected in Iasi City. The order of trace metal concentrations in the tissues of feral pigeons and rooks in Iasi City was similar: Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr > Co. However, trace element values in most tissues were higher in the rook samples than in feral pigeon ones, except for Co, which had elevated levels in feral pigeon renal and cardiac tissues, and Cu, which registered the highest concentrations in feral pigeon liver and kidney tissues. While not statistically significant, Pb concentration values in the PM10 fraction of atmospheric particles positively correlated with Pb concentrations in rook kidney samples (p = 0.05). The concentration levels of Cd, Pb, and Ni in the PM10 fraction of air particles showed a positive correlation with Cd levels in the samples of pigeon heart and rook liver, kidney, and heart, Pb levels in the samples of pigeon kidney, heart, and muscle and rook liver and bone, and Ni levels in the samples of pigeon liver, kidney, and bone and rook liver, muscle, and bone, respectively.

Exogenous stimulation of Tanacetum vulgare roots with pipecolic acid leads to tissue-specific responses in terpenoid composition.

Tanacetum vulgare L., tansy, is a perennial plant with highly variable terpenoid composition, with mono- and sesquiterpenoids being the most abundant. The high diversity of terpenoids plays an important role in mediating ecological interactions. However, the distribution of terpenoids in different tissues and inducibility of terpenoids in these tissues via biotic stress are poorly understood. We investigated changes in terpenoid profiles and concentrations in different organs following treatment of roots with pipecolic acid (Pip), a non-proteinogenic amino acid that triggers defence responses leading to induce systemic resistance (SAR) in plants. Tansy leaves and midribs contained mainly monoterpenoids, while coarse and fine roots contained mainly sesquiterpenoids. Rhizomes contained terpenoid profiles of both midribs and roots but also unique compounds. Treatment with Pip led to an increase in concentrations of mono- and sesquiterpenoids in all tissues except rhizomes. However, significantly more sesquiterpenoids was formed in root tissues in response to Pip treatment, compared to shoots. The metabolic atlas for terpenoids presented here shows that there is exceptionally strong differentiation of terpenoid patterns and terpenoid content in different tissues of tansy. This, together with differential inducibility by Pip, suggests that the chemical diversity of terpenoids may play an important role in tansy ecological interactions and defence against biotic stressors that feed on below- and aboveground organs.

SOS! Hydrogen Sulfide Enhances the Flavonoid Early Warning System in Rice Plants to Cope with Thiocyanate Pollution.

The presence of thiocyanate (SCN-) in irrigation water has adverse effects on both plant growth and crop output. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gaseous signaling molecule that can alleviate SCN- stress. Flavonoids are secondary compounds produced by plants and are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom. They play important roles in several physiological and biochemical processes. To investigate the effect of exogenous H2S on the growth of early rice plants under SCN- stress, we carried out a hydroponic experiment focusing on the interaction of exogenous H2S with flavonoids. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate the behavior of SCN- when subjected to varying effective doses (EC20: 24.0 mg/L; EC50: 96.0 mg/L; and EC75: 300.0 mg/L). The findings indicated that the relative growth rate (RGR) of the plants treated with H2S + SCN- was greater than that of the plants treated with SCN- alone. Higher amounts of flavonoids were detected in the shoots than in the roots, with more variability in the shoots. The early warning level results showed that most of the flavonoids were present at levels I and II, while quercetin was present at level IV. Genetic expression variation factor (GEVF) analyses revealed an increase in the quantity of "promoter genes" with increasing SCN- concentration in both rice tissues. Furthermore, administering external H2S while exposing rice tissues to SCN- resulted in a considerable decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species. This study provides novel insights into the regulation of flavonoid levels in rice plants by exogenous H2S, facilitating enhanced resistance to SCN- stress and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in water and mollusks in the Karnafully estuary: Potential human health risk and environmental contamination

This study investigates the bioaccumulation of heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) in water and mollusks across the Karnafully River estuaryof Bangladesh. Samples were collected from six different sites encompassing diverse ecological conditions over three seasons: monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter. Six mollusk species were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry to quantify metal concentrations in both tissues and shells. These species are Neritina violocea, Neritina sulculosa, Telescopium telescopium, Cerithida ecingulata, Corbicula fluminea, and Bellamya bengalesis. The Chaktai canal site had the highest concentration of Cu (13.99±0.92 mg/kg) from the mussel species B. Bengalesis during monsoon season, which was higher than the tolerable limit for human. The the lowest concentration of Cu (1.13±0.76 mg/kg) from the composite mussel species N. sulculosa were fround from the 15 No. Jetty site in winter.. The highest concentration of Cr was found at the Marine Academy site (0.54±0.24 mg/kg) during the post-monsoon period from the mussel species N. violocea, while the lowest concentration was found near the Karnafully Bridge (0.05±0.02 mg/kg) during the monsoon from the mussel species Cerithidea cingulata. The highest concentration of Cd was observed in the Chaktai canal site (0.77±0.04 mg/kg) during the winter from the B. bengalesis, and the lowest concentration was recorded in the Karnafully Bridge (0.33±0.06 mg/kg) site during the winter season from the Cerithidae cingulata species. The highest amount of Pb was found in Chaktai canal site (0.32±0.06 mg/kg) during the monsoon season in B. bengalesis fuana. The lowest amount was found in Karnafully Bridge (0.09±0.02 mg/kg) in the Cerithidae cingulate species at the same time. The results suggested that the possibility of the occurrence of acute toxicities of Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb was unlikely except for the mussel of T. telescopium in the Marine Academy that indicates heavy metals presence at the Marine Academy site. The study revealed that the average concentrations of the heavy metals were in the order of Cu>Cd>Cr>Pb in the monsoon, postmonsoon, and winter seasons. The principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted distinct seasonal patterns in metal accumulation, underscoring the need for seasonal-specific monitoring and management strategies in estuarine ecosystems.