Indicator Of Bioavailability Research Articles

Dietary NO3− does not enhance endothelial dependent cutaneous vascular conductance in older women

Prior work has yet to determine whether the reduction of dietary nitrate (NO3−) to NO, via the enterosalivary pathway, may modify cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) responses to local heating in older women. Changes occurring with the transition to menopause related to hormonal flux, increased adiposity, and/or decreased physical activity may further compound the negative influence of aging on nitric oxide (NO)-dependent CVC. Herein, we characterized changes in NO-dependent CVC following acute ingestion of 140 mL of NO3−-rich beetroot juice in 24 older women (age: 65 ± 5 y, BMI: 31.2 ± 3.7 kg/m2). Red blood cell (RBC) flux was measured continuously via laser-Doppler flowmetry on the dorsal aspect of the forearm during local skin heating to 39 °C/44 °C before and 3 h after NO3− ingestion. NO-dependent changes in CVC were calculated as RBC flux/mean arterial blood pressure at 39 °C and normalized as a proportion of maximal CVC at 44 °C (%CVCmax). Changes (Δ) in fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) following NO3− ingestion were used an index of NO bioavailability. Despite increased FeNO (+81 ± 70 %, P < 0.001), %CVCmax at 39 °C was reduced (−16 ± 10 %, P < 0.001) following NO3− ingestion. A greater reduction in %CVCmax was weakly to moderately associated with higher body fat% (r = 0.45 [0.05–0.72], P = 0.029), central adiposity% (r = 0.50 [0.13–0.75], P = 0.012), neutrophil% (r = 0.42 [0.02–0.70], P = 0.041), and higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (r = 0.49 [0.11–0.75], P = 0.016). These findings demonstrate a single dose of dietary NO3− does not promote CVC responses to local heating in sedentary older women with overweight and obesity. Correlation with multiple biomarkers suggest systemic inflammation may be involved.

Efficient and practical in-jar silicone rubber based passive sampling for simultaneous monitoring of emerging fungicides in water and soils

The occurrence and ecological impacts of emerging fungicides in the environment has gained increasing attention. This study applied an in-jar passive sampling device based on silicone rubber (SR) film to measuring the freely dissolved concentration (Cfree) of 6 current-use fungicides as a critical index of bioavailability in water and soils. The kinetics parameters including SR-water, soil-water, and organic carbon-water partition coefficients and sampling rates of the target fungicides were first attained and characterized well with their physicochemical properties. The in situ and ex situ field deployment in Hefei City provided the assessment of contaminated levels for these fungicides in rivers and soils. The Cfree of triadimefon and azoxystrobin was estimated at 0.54 ± 0.07–17.4 ± 2.5 ng L−1 in Nanfei River and Chao Lake, while triadimefon was only found in Dongpu Reservoir water with Cfree below 0.66 ± 0.04 ng L−1. The results exhibited that the equilibrium duration of 7 d was suitable for water application but a longer interval of 14 d was recommended for soil sampling. This work demonstrated the advantages of the proposed strategy in terms of fast monitoring within 2 weeks and high sensitivity down to detection limits in 0.5–5 ng L−1. The in-jar passive sampling device can be extrapolated to the evaluation for a wide coverage of organic pollutants in water and soils.

Characterization of Grape Pomace Extract Microcapsules: The Influence of Carbohydrate Co-Coating on the Stabilization of Goat Whey Protein as a Primary Coating.

Both grape pomace and whey are waste products from the food industry that are rich in valuable ingredients. The utilization of these two by-products is becoming increasingly possible as consumer awareness of upcycling increases. The biological activities of grape pomace extract (GPE) are diverse and depend on its bioavailability, which is influenced by processes in the digestive system. In this work, goat whey protein (GW) was used as the primary coating to protect the phenolic compounds of GPE during the spray drying process. In addition, trehalose (T), sucrose (S), xylose (X), and maltodextrin (MD) were added to the goat whey proteins as co-coatings and protein stabilizers. All spray drying experiments resulted in microcapsules (MC) with a high encapsulation efficiency (77.6-95.5%) and yield (91.5-99.0%) and almost 100% recovery of phenolic compounds during the release test. For o-coumaric acid, the GW-coated microcapsules (MC) showed a bioavailability index of up to 731.23%. A semi-crystalline structure and hydrophilicity were characteristics of the MC coated with 10% T, S, X, or 5% MD. GW alone or in combination with T, S, MD, or X proved to be a promising carrier for polyphenols from grape pomace extract and ensured good bioavailability of these natural antioxidants.

Lower Arginine Bioavailability, Increased FeNO Levels, and Airway Resistance on Impulse Oscillometry Are Characteristics of Asthma in Children and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease.

Background and Objectives: Data on characteristics of asthma in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is conflicting. Recently, the L-arginine pathway has gained attention in the pathogenesis of asthma and SCD. This study aimed to determine the distinctive clinical and laboratory features and the role of arginine metabolism in asthmatic children with SCD. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 children and adolescents with SCD, including 24 with asthma (SCD-A) and 28 without asthma (SCD-NA), and 40 healthy controls were included. A questionnaire, atopy tests, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and lung function tests were employed. Serum metabolites of the arginine pathway were measured. The results of the three groups were compared. Results: The demographic characteristics and atopy markers of the three groups were similar. FEV1%, FEV1/FVC, MMEF%, and total lung capacity (TLC%) values of SCD-A patients were not significantly different from the SCD-NA group, but they were significantly lower than the values measured in the controls. FeNO values greater than 35 ppb were present only in the SCD-A group. In impulse oscillometry, median resistance values at 5 Hz (R5)% were higher in both SCD subgroups than in healthy controls (p = 0.001). The (R5-20/R5)% values were higher in the SCD-A group (p = 0.028). Serum arginine levels and arginine bioavailability indices were significantly lower in the SCD-A group than in the SCD-NA group and healthy controls (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001). Conclusions: Asthma in children with SCD was not associated with atopy or low FEV1/FVC levels. However, lower arginine bioavailability and higher FeNO levels differentiated asthma in patients with SCD. High R5% and (R5-20/R5)% values indicated increased airway resistance in SCD, with a predominance of small airway disease in asthmatics.

Production Possibility of Raw Ingredients of Plant Origin with Increased Bioavailability

The physical exposure methods use combined with amino acids to intensify the biologically active substances synthesis and the directional germination process flow is a promising for processing plant raw materials. The study aim is to obtain new data on the effectiveness of the combined action use of ultrasound and exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid solutions in the grain crop germination process to increase its nutritional value and bioavailability. The following types of grain crops were the research objects: wheat, barley and oats. Before the germination process, a man treated the grain with ultrasonic exposure ((22 ± 1.25) kHz; 245 W/l; 5 min) in the exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid solution. The researchers practiced two-factor planning. The γ-aminobutyric acid concentration (1; 3; 5 %) and the germination duration (12; 24; 36 h) acted as variable factors. The data obtained indicate a significant ultrasound exposure impact in combination with exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid on the synthesis and flavonoid accumulation, its bioavailability, antioxidant and membrane stabilizing effect, as well as the digestibility criterion of sprouted cereals. The average increase in the flavonoid content in the experimental samples during germination was 93% for wheat grain, 58 % for barley grain and 64 % for oat grain, respectively. The researchers proved an increase in the bioavailability index of this biologically active substance by 11–24 %. The experimental samples demonstrated a raise in the Tetrahymena pyriformis protozoa growth by 143–195 %, whereas for control germinated cereal samples – 65, 85 and 102 %, respectively. The long-life cycle duration of the simplest Parametium caudatum culture in the stress model was while using an extract from experimental sprouted grain crop samples. The conducted studies confirm the combination use effectiveness of ultrasonic exposure with exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid solutions of a given concentration in germination technology and enable obtaining plant raw ingredients with the desired properties.

Ultrasound-assisted green synthesis and in silico study of 6-(4-(butylamino)-6-(diethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxypyridazine derivatives

Abstract Eco-friendly ultrasound-assisted synthesis of a series of 3-N-substituted 6-((4-(butylamino)-6-(diethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)oxy)pyridazin-3(2H)-one derivatives and in silico study to predict their biological activities were carried out. Physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were obtained. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties and bioavailability index were calculated. A comparative analysis of structural similarity based on the Tanimoto coefficient was carried out.

Design and development of new inhibitors against breast cancer, Monkeypox and Marburg virus by modification of natural Fisetin via in silico and SAR studies.

The natural Fisetin and its derivatives have been shown to have effective bioactivity and strong pharmacological profile, which is continuously drawing the interest of therapeutic applications to the development of new biomolecules against Breast cancer and Monkeypox, and Marburg viral infection, while computational approaches and the study of their structure-activity relationship (SAR) are the most eloquent and reliable platform for performing their hypothetical profile renovation. So, the main perspective of this investigation is to evaluate dual function of Fisetin and its derivatives against both virus and cancerous target. First and foremost, the prediction of activity spectra for materials (PASS) valuation has provided preliminary data on the antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and anti-cancer possibilities of the mentioned compounds. According to the evidence, PASS predicted scores were shown to perform better in antineoplastic and antiviral than antibacterial, and antiparasitic efficiency; as evidenced by their higher PASS scores in antineoplastic and antiviral drug tests. Breast cancer, Monkeypox, and Marburg virus have been selected as targeted pathogens, and different in silico studies were conducted to determine the dual function of mention derivatives. The "Lipinski five rules," on the other hand, has been subjected to extensive testing for drug-like characteristics. Molecular docking against Breast cancer, Monkeypox, and Marburg virus have been accomplished after confirmation of their bioactivity. The molecular docking evaluation against targeted disease displayed re-markable binding affinity and non-bonding engagement, with most of the results indicating that derivatives are more effective than the FDA approved standard antiviral, and antineoplastic drugs. Finally, the ADMET characteristics have been computed, and they indicate that the substance is suitable to use and did not have any chance to produce adverse effects on aquatic or non-aquatic environment, as well as having a highly soluble capacity in water medium, high G.I absorption rate, with outstanding bioavailability index. Therefore, these mentioned Fisetin derivatives could be suggested as potential medication against Breast cancer and newly reported Monkeypox, and Marburg virus, and may further proceed for laboratory experiment, synthesis, and clinical trials to evaluate their practical value.

Fortification of Olive Oil with Herbs and Waste By-Products towards Sustainable Development: Total Antioxidant Capacity, Phenolic Content, and In Vitro Predicted Bioavailability

Nowadays, there is a high demand in many industrial countries for healthy foods and sustainable products and so to explore innovative food technologies, such as fortification with bioactive compounds such as antioxidants and polyphenols, that may be sourced from herbs or by-products. This study’s objective was to explore the fortification of refined olive oils with natural bioactive compounds such as the herbs rosemary (Rosmarinus officinallis, L.), basil (Ocimum basillicum, L.), sage (Salvia officinalis, L.), lemon balm (Melissa oficinallis, L.), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum, L.), pink savory (Satureja thymbra, L.), dittany (Origanum dictamnus, L.), and by-products such as pomace from olives, olive leaves (Olea europaea, L.), orange peel (Citrus aurantium, L.), lemon peel (Citrus limon, L.), pomegranate peel (Punica granatum, L.), and mandarin peel (Citrus reticulata). The fortification of the refined olive oils was performed with the use of different methodologies such as conventional maceration (CM), incubation shaking maceration (ISM), and ultrasound-assisted maceration (UAM). Folin–Ciocalteau (FOLIN) and Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays were used to measure their total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. All methods demonstrated that the temperature, sample concentration, and time of maceration are considered of high importance in the fortification of refined olive oil. In vitro digestion process showed the bioavailability of the antioxidant and phenolic compounds in the fortified olive oil that ranged from 4.84% to 53.11%. Furthermore, the refined olive oils fortified with pomace, basil, St. John’s wort, and pomegranate peel presented the highest antioxidant and phenolic predicted bioavailability indices during the in vitro process compared to the control refined olive oil. Finally, fortification with natural herbs or by-products can be considered an innovative method for the enhancement of the nutritional value of refined olive oils.

Molecular Docking and Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Programmed Ribosomal Frameshifting RNA and Ligands for RNA-Targeting Alkaloids Prospecting

RNA-ligand docking is a part of computational biology, which is currently lowly recognized compared to the protein-ligand docking procedure commonly applied for drug discovery. This in silico study aims to create a simplified protocol for RNA-ligand docking, which is applicable to RNA-targeting small molecular drug screening. Four alkaloids (berberine, colchicine, nicotine, and tomatine) were subjected to this study and contended against the SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA -1 PRF component targeting control drug, merafloxacin, including two known intercalator berberine and colchicine, a small alkaloid nicotine and a large alkaloid tomatine. The alkaloids were screened for drug-likeness properties (Lipinski’s Rules of 5 or LRo5), bioavailability indexes, and synthetic accessibility values using SwissADME before docking. The docking used PyRx – Autodock Vina and re-scored for RNA-ligand scoring using AnnapuRNA. The docking results have the interactions mapped using fingeRNAt and visualized using Discovery Studio. Molecular dynamics using CHARMM36 and AMBER forcefields were simulated in NAMD. The molecular dynamics 1 ns simulation results showed that the ligand interaction over time did not cause much interference with the RNA, indicated by the low number of RMSD changes between RNA itself and the RNA-ligand complex. Additionally, CHARMM36 forcefield provided more stable fluctuation compared to AMBER. The results indicated that tomatine disobeyed LRo5 and had a low bioavailability index and bad synthetic accessibility value, while the rest alkaloids passed. In the end, berberine has an even higher docking score than the control drug. The study also shows that this protocol can be useful for future RNA-ligand computational studies.

Chromatographic Data in Statistical Analysis of BBB Permeability Indices.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is an essential phenomena when considering the treatment of neurological disorders as well as in the case of central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects caused by peripherally acting drugs. The presented work contains statistical analyses and the correlation assessment of the analyzed group of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with their BBB-permeability data collected from the literature (such as computational log BB; Kp,uu,brain, and CNS+/- groups). A number of regression models were constructed in order to observe the connections between the APIs' physicochemical properties in combination with their retention data from the chromatographic experiments (TLC and HPLC) and the indices of bioavailability in the CNS. Conducted analyses confirm that descriptors significant in BBB permeability modeling are hydrogen bond acceptors and donors, physiological charge, or energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. These molecular descriptors were the basis, along with the chromatographic data from the TLC in log BB regression analyses. Normal-phase TLC data showed a significant contribution to the creation of the log BB regression model using the multiple linear regression method. The model using them showed a good predictive value at the level of R2 = 0.87. Models for Kp,uu,brain resulted in lower statistics: R2 = 0.56 for the group of 23 APIs with the participation of k IAM.

RISK ASSESSMENT, LEVELS, SPECIATION AND SEASONAL VARIATION OF HEAVY METALS (Cd and Cu) IN WATER AND PARTICLE SIZES OF SEDIMENTS FROM HUNKI OX-BOW LAKE, AWE LGA, NASARAWA STATE-NIGERIA

This research aimed at assessment of the levels, speciation, risk assessment indices and seasonal variation of heavy metals (Cd and Cu) in water and sediments from Hunki Ox-bow Lake in Awe L.G.A of Nasarawa State, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), during the dry and wet seasons. The mean concentration of Cd in water samples of both dry and wet seasons was higher than that of Cu, but Cu was higher than Cd on the whole (raw) sediment samples. The baseline levels of Cd and Cu in water samples (mg/L) were as follows: Cd (0.354) and Cu (0.014), which revealed that Cd level in water was higher than the WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. The baseline levels of Cd and Cu in sediment samples (mg/kg) were as follows: Cd (7.149) and Cu (8.363) which showed that Cd and Cu were lower than Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines – High of (Cd: 10 and Cu: 270 mg/kg). However, Cd level from sediment was higher than Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines – Low of 1.5 mg/kg but that of Cu was lower (65 mg/kg). Results of the Tessier five-step sequential extraction procedure indicated that Cd was more in the first four steps of the sequential extraction (non-residual) which accounted for 84.64 - 94.52 % in both seasons. Copper dominated more of the organic matter fraction of the sediments (48.17 – 85.54 %) for both dry and wet seasons. The mean of Bioavailability Index (BI) for wet season was relatively higher than that of dry season. The mean values of Mobility Factor (MF) revealed that Cd had higher values than Cu irrespective of seasons. This indicated that Cd was more mobilizable and bioavailable to this aquatic ecosystem compared to Cu. The geo-accumulation Index (I-geo) values of Cd showed practically unpolluted (sites 1, 2 and 5 of dry season), moderately polluted (sites 3 and 4 of dry season), heavily polluted (sites 1, 2, 4 and 5 of wet season) to very heavily polluted (site 3of wet season). The I-geo values of Cu indicated practically unpolluted. In dry season generally, Contamination Factor (Cf) values for Cd were all moderate in dry season. The Cf values of Cd indicated very high contamination factor for wet season, while that of Cu was low in both seasons. In both seasons, the ecological risk index (Er) of Cd in dry season had low to moderate ecological risk, and high to serious ecological risk in wet season. The Er values of Cu were low. This study revealed that: sediments and water samples of the dry season had lower concentration of Cd and Cu than in wet season; concentrations of Cd and Cu from sediments were more of manmade sources rather than natural sources and most ecological risk indices evaluated revealed that Cd had greater ecological risk.&#x0D;

Use of Micronization and Complex Coacervation to Preserve Antioxidant Properties of Flavonoids.

The plant flavonoids taxifolin and rutin are among the best known and best studied antioxidants. In addition to their antioxidant properties, other pharmacobiological properties have been established for these substances. At the same time, taxifolin and rutin are chemically labile. They are prone to oxidative degradation and have poor water solubility. Under conditions of their real consumption, all this can lead to a significant reduction or complete loss of bioactivity of these flavonoids. Flavonoid modification and encapsulation techniques can be used to overcome these barrier factors. The use of micronization process for taxifolin and rutin allows changing the lipophilicity values of antioxidants. For micronized taxifolin, the log P value is 1.3 (1.12 for the control forms), and for rutin, it was 0.15 (-0.64 for the control forms). The antioxidant activity of micronized flavonoids has increased about 1.16 times compared to control forms. The present study evaluates the possibility of using encapsulation of premyconized flavonoids by complex coacervation, in order to preserve their antioxidant properties. The results of an in vitro digestion study show that the encapsulated forms of antioxidants retain their bioactivity and bioavailability better than their original forms. The bioavailability indices for the encapsulated forms of flavonoids are more than 1.6 times higher than for their original forms. The digested fractions of the encapsulated properties reveal better antioxidant properties than their original forms in in vitro tests evaluating the antioxidant properties on cultures of the protozoan Paramecium caudatum and human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Encapsulated rutin indicates the highest activity, 0.64 relative to PMA. Thus, the studies represent the feasibility of using encapsulation to protect flavonoids during digestion and ensure the preservation of their antioxidant properties.

Assessment of the bioavailability of flavonoids in herbal beverages with antioxidant properties

Relevance. The development of fermented herbal beverages will make it possible not only to process grain crops as efficiently as possible, but also to meet the needs of people with intolerance to milk components, as well as those who adhere to a vegetarian diet. As one of the directions, it is possible to offer production of fermented vegetable drinks with predetermined properties by enriching them with antioxidants of polyphenolic nature. These technologies will minimise the risks of non-communicable diseases in the Russian Federation and stabilise public health in the long term.Methods. Six samples of fermented herbal beverages were identified as objects of study, two of which were obtained by fermentation of wheat and barley grains using "Bifivit" starter, powdered flavonoid taxifolin was added to other two samples at the fermentation stage, while the last two used the hydroxypropyl-betacyclodextrin encapsulated form of taxifolin. Total flavonoid content using spectrophotometric method, antioxidant activity(AOA) using DPPH-method as well as bioavailability index and digestibility criterion were determined in all tested samples.Results. All the samples of fermented herbal beverages with taxifolin are characterized by sufficiently high flavonoid content. The samples containing encapsulated forms of the flavonoid have, on average, 7 to 8% lower values than the samples of herbal drinks containing the native form of the flavonoid. At the same time, the bioavailability index for the samples containing encapsulated forms of flavonoid was on average 40 to 42% higher, indicating the effectiveness of the encapsulation process. The highest values of antioxidant activity were characteristic of the plant drinks enriched with the initial form of taxifolin, which is probably due to the creation of a protective shell and a decrease in the AOA values by 10–12% on average in samples with encapsulated form. The process of fermentation of vegetable raw materials leads to an increase in their digestibility, as evidenced by the growth of the infusoria Tetrahymena pyriformis. Introduction of taxifolin into the formulation of drinks both in its original and encapsulated form increases the growth of protozoa by 187±4–315±3%.

ASSESSING THE REMEDIATION OF A CONTAMINATED SOIL ECOSYSTEM WITH SOME RECENT CHEMO BIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIES THROGH BIOREMEDIATION INDEX

In a soil ecosystem irrigated with low-quality water out at El-Rahway village, Giza Governorate, Egypt, a completely randomized field trial was carried out to assess the suitability of some soil biochemical remediation technologies on minimizing the inorganic contaminants hazards, their bioavailability as well as the relationship between potential toxic elements (PTEs) distribution in remediated soil ecosystem, the bioavailability index (BI) and pollutants uptake by cultivated hyperaccumulated plants. Turnip Brassica rapa and radish Raphanus sativus were separately cultivated in the contaminated after being enriched with elemental sulfur (T1), elemental sulfur fortified with a mixture of Thiobacillus Thiooxidans and Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (T2), rock phosphate impregnated with phosphate dissolving bacteria (PDB) (T3), bentonite inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescence (T4), kaolinite associated with Pseudomonas fluorescence (T5), sulfur mixed with rock phosphate and inoculated with a mixture of Thiobacillus thiooxidans, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and phosphate dissolving bacteria (PDB) (T6), a mixture of bentonite and kaolinite inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescence (T7) and a combined mixture of bentonite, kaolinite and rock phosphate inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescence and phosphate dissolving bacteria (PDB) (T8), as well as control treatments represented by cultivated untreated soil ecosystem.Results implied that the concentration of most contaminants was found in F6 (Residual form) in control cultivated, decreased, T1, T2, and increased in the treatments supplied with modified clay minerals. Results also emphasized that T8 is the best management practice in the remediation of targeted inorganic contaminants grown in a contaminated soil ecosystem cultivated with radish or turnip plants that showed the lowest values compared to other trailed treatments. The combination of phytoremediation and chemo-biological techniques was very effective in minimizing the hazards of PTEs bioavailability and the distribution of the inorganic contaminants, and BI was verified to be promising tools in evaluating soil remediation.

Endorhizal fungal symbiosis in lycophytes and metal(loid)-accumulating ferns growing naturally in mine wastes in Mexico

Ferns and lycophytes are pioneer plants that can be useful for revegetation. Their natural distribution and interaction with soil fungal endophytes can increase plant fitness but have received little attention. This study aimed to identify these plant species in mine wastes, and determine colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE). The pseudo-total and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable rhizosphere concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn, bioavailability index (BI), and bioconcentration factor (BCF) were analyzed. Six ferns and one lycophyte were identified. Arsenic and metal concentrations were high, which were plant and site-dependent. All species showed hyperaccumulation of As in fronds, especially Argyrochosma formosa (2,883) and Notholaena affinis (2,160) had the highest concentrations (mg kg−1). All plants were colonized by AMF (3%−24%) and DSE (2%−33%). Astrolepis sinuata and Myriopteris notholaenoides had the maximum colonization by AMF and A. formosa by DSE. This study identifies for the first time five ferns and one lycophyte species on mine wastes, their As hyperaccumulation capacity and the simultaneous fungal colonization by AMF and DSE. These are relevant plant traits for phytoremediation. However, fungal identification and the role colonization by AMF and DSE requires full analysis.

Comparative studies on the effects of biochar and cow dung amendments on the mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals in lead-acid contaminated soil

This study compared the heavy metals remediation potency of biochar and cow dung in soils contaminated by lead-acid batteries. Soil samples were gathered from three different battery charging shops in Benin City at the depth of 0-15cm using systematic grid sampling method. Hardwood was pyrolyzed at 350°C for 80minutes and cow dung was air dried and pound into powder. The soil was characterized using standard methods, and was fractionated using modified European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) three-step sequential extraction procedure while the concentration of heavy metals was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The total metal concentration in the lead-acid contaminated soil was 127.50mg/kg Pb, 0.32mg/kg Cr, 0.03mg/kg Cd, 0.18mg/kg Ni and 135.00mg/kg Fe. The contaminated soil was remediated with biochar and as well with cow dung at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The soil was also amended using biochar-cow dung mixture (1:1, 2:1 and 1:2). The outcome revealed that the metal content in lead-acid contaminated soil remediated with biochar and cow dung were found to generally decrease as the percentage of amenders increases, with biochar being further efficient in lowering the levels of heavy metals in the contaminated soil. However, biochar when mixed with cow dung at 2:1 ratio at 20% amendment gives a better result than when used separately. Pot experiment was designed and the amounts of heavy metals bioavailable to plant were determined. The mobility factors and bioavailability indices of the metals reduced as the percentage of amenders’ increases. The result obtained from this study revealed that although biochar and cow dung were effective amenders, biochar was more potent in lowering the mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of heavy metals in lead-acid contaminated soil. Biochar when mixed with cow dung at 2:1 ratio gave the best result in remediation of lead-acid contaminated soil.

Assessing the remediation of a contaminated soil ecosystem with some recent chemo biological technologies throgh bioremediation index

In a soil ecosystem irrigated with low-quality water out at El-Rahway village, Giza Governorate, Egypt, a completely randomized field trial was carried out to assess the suitability of some soil biochemical remediation technologies on minimizing the inorganic contaminants hazards, their bioavailability as well as the relationship between potential toxic elements (PTEs) distribution in remediated soil ecosystem, the bioavailability index (BI) and pollutants uptake by cultivated hyperaccumulated plants. Turnip Brassica rapa and radish Raphanus sativus were separately cultivated in the contaminated after being enriched with elemental sulfur (T1), elemental sulfur fortified with a mixture of Thiobacillus Thiooxidans and Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (T2), rock phosphate impregnated with phosphate dissolving bacteria (PDB) (T3), bentonite inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescence (T4), kaolinite associated with Pseudomonas fluorescence (T5), sulfur mixed with rock phosphate and inoculated with a mixture of Thiobacillus thiooxidans, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and phosphate dissolving bacteria (PDB) (T6), a mixture of bentonite and kaolinite inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescence (T7) and a combined mixture of bentonite, kaolinite and rock phosphate inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescence and phosphate dissolving bacteria (PDB) (T8), as well as control treatments represented by cultivated untreated soil ecosystem.

Pollution Characteristics of Surface Sediments in Luhun Drinking Water Reservoir in the Middle China

The pollution status of surface sediments in the Luhun drinking water reservoir in the central of China was analyzed and evaluated, and three sampling points were selected for this study. The results showed that the organic matter content of the Luhun reservoir was as high as 5.2%, which was at a high level. The analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, and their components showed that the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) pollution in Luhun reservoir was in the medium pollution level, among which the ion-exchange state of nitrogen component and the strong-alkali extraction state of phosphorus component accounted for a relatively high risk of release into the overlying water. The results showed that the bioavailability index of Pb and Cr was as high as 0.73 and 0.62, which was of big pollution risk. Generally speaking, the sediment of Luhun reservoir had a high risk of pollution to the overlying water. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for urban safe water supply and provide support for water quality improvement.

Transferosomes as an Efficient Carrier System for better Therapeutic response of Targeted Drug Delivery System

BACKGROUND: Targeted drug delivery systems (TDDS) mainly focuses to aim the medication to a specific organ site and hence reducing the amount of drug in remaining tissues therefore, improving its bioavailability and therapeutic index at the targeted site. This helps in minimizing the adverse effects and improves its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: Presently there are different carrier systems like liposomes, transferosomes, pharmacosomes, phytosomes, aquasomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, microparticles, nanoparticles, etc. are being used for the purpose of site specific drug delivery and also to prevent drug candidate from metabolic degradation process. The major focus of this review work is on Transferosomes proves as an efficient carrier for target delivery of drugs. The drugs molecules get decomposed due to different metabolic processess and other physiological conditions of the body; this emerges the need for site specific systems for drug delivery to prevent the drug molecules. This site specific process is also known as smart drug delivery because these nanocarrier systems significantly changes their physiochemical properties in response to internal environment of the body and release the drug at its targeted site at a specific rate according to severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: The applications of these nano systems like fabrication, encapsulation, response to various stimuli are vital for site specific delivery of drugs. Nanotechnological application in drug delivery enhances the process of drug delivery. There are various kinds of nano-size particulate systems that are already approved for their clinical use although these are now in their development stages. This will be a major focus for future drug targeting with various newer molecules.

Chemical signature and fractionation of trace elements in fine particles from anthropogenic and natural sources

The health effects of trace metal elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are widely recognized, however, the emission factor profiles and chemical fractionation of metal elements in different sources were poorly understand. In this study, sixteen metal elements, including Cd, Pb, V, Zn, Ba, Sb, As, Fe, Sr, Cr, Rb, Co, Mn, Cu, Ni and Sn from biomass burning, bituminite and anthracite combustion, as well as dust, were quantified. The results show different emission sources were associated with distinct emission profiles, holding important implications for source apportionment of ambient particulate metals. Specifically, Fe was the dominant metal species (28-1922 mg/kg) for all samples, and was followed by different metals for different samples. For dust, Mn (39.9 mg/kgdust) had the second-highest emission factor, while for biomass burning, it was Cr and Ba (7.5 and 7.4 mg/kgbiomass, respectively). For bituminous coal combustion, the emission factor of Zn and Ba was 6.2 and 6.0 mg/kgbituminous, respectively, while for anthracite combustion the corresponding emission factor was 5.6 and 4.3 mg/kganthracite, respectively. Moreover, chemical fractionation (i.e., the exchangeable, reducible fraction, oxidizable, and residual fraction) and the bioavailability index (BI) values of the metal elements from different sources were further investigated to reveal the link between different emission sources and the potential health risk. The findings from this study hold important implications for source apportionment and source-specific particulate metal-associated health effects.