Residue from Sequestrene 138 Fe EDDHA Clogs Filters: Alternatives for Chelated Iron in Liquid Fertilizer Systems

Ferric iron rapidly precipitates as FeOH and becomes biologically unavailable, so chelated iron is commonly used in liquid fertilization systems to keep it in solution. The most common chelating agents in agriculture are: EDDHA (ethylenediamine-N,N\u27-bis(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and for monocots in deep-flow hydroponics, HEDTA (also called HEEDTA

Radiolabeling, whole-body single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging, and pharmacokinetics of carbon nanohorns in mice.

In this work, we report that the biodistribution and excretion of carbon nanohorns (CNHs) in mice are dependent on their size and functionalization. Small-sized CNHs (30-50 nm; S-CNHs) and large-sized CNHs (80-100 nm; L-CNHs) were chemically functionalized and radiolabeled with [(111)In]-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and intravenously injected into mice. Their tissue distribution profiles at different time points were determined by single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography. The results showed that the S-CNHs circulated longer in blood, while the L-CNHs accumulated faster in major organs like the liver and spleen. Small amounts of S-CNHs- and L-CNHs were excreted in urine within the first few hours postinjection, followed by excretion of smaller quantities within the next 48 hours in both urine and feces. The kinetics of excretion for S-CNHs were more rapid than for L-CNHs. Both S-CNH and L-CNH material accumulated mainly in the liver and spleen; however, S-CNH accumulation in the spleen was more prominent than in the liver.journal article20162016 07 22importe

Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase participates in nitric oxide consumption by rat brain

In low nanomolar concentrations, NO (nitric oxide) functions as a transmitter in brain and other tissues, whereas near-micromolar NO concentrations are associated with toxicity and cell death. Control of the NO concentration, therefore, is critical for proper brain function, but, although its synthesis pathway is well-characterized, the major route of breakdown of NO in brain is unclear. Previous observations indicate that brain cells actively consume NO at a high rate. The mechanism of this consumption was pursued in the present study. NO consumption by a preparation of central glial cells was abolished by cell lysis and recovered by addition of NADPH. NADPH-dependent consumption of NO localized to cell membranes and was inhibited by proteinase K, indicating the involvement of a membrane-bound protein. Purification of this activity yielded CYPOR (cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase). Antibodies against CYPOR inhibited NO consumption by brain membranes and the amount of CYPOR in several cell types correlated with their rate of NO consumption. NO was also consumed by purified CYPOR but this activity was found to depend on the presence of the vitamin E analogue Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchromane-2-carboxylic acid), included in the buffer as a precaution against inadvertent NO consumption by lipid peroxidation. In contrast, NO consumption by brain membranes was independent of Trolox. Hence, it appears that, during the purification process, CYPOR becomes separated from a partner needed for NO consumption. Cytochrome P450 inhibitors inhibited NO consumption by brain membranes, making these proteins likely candidates

Reducing the environmental impact of textile industry by reusing residual salts and water: ECUVal system

The textile industry is one of the largest consumers of water in the world and its wastewater constitutes a serious problem when it is discharged without the proper treatment. Different techniques are being applied for treating textile effluents. But, as far as we know, none of them consider the reuse of the clarified effluents. In this work, a recently developed wastewater system named ECUVal is proposed to treat and subsequently reuse the effluents generated by the dyeing process of a textile mill, which usually have high dyes and salt content. With this system, a reduction of water and salt consumption is achieved and simultaneously the volume of discharged effluents is also reduced. The ECUVal system is based on an electrochemical treatment assisted by UV irradiation. The system is able to remove colour completely. Colour removal efficiencies between 64 and 99% were obtained depending on the intensity applied. Moreover, the treated effluents are reconstituted in the system to be reused in new dyeing processes. Thus, 70% of water and up to 72% of salt reuse was achieved. The chromatic coordinates of fabrics dyed with the treated effluent were evaluated with respect to reference ones. Dyeings performed with reused effluents were in general into the acceptance limit of the textile industry (DECMC(2:1)¿=¿1). Finally, the environmental impact of the wastewater treatment currently performed in the textile companies was compared with respect to the ECUVal treatment by means of life cycle assessment. It was concluded that the use of the system reduces significantly the environmental impact of the textile industry.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Comparison of methods for determination of glomerular filtration rate: low and high-dose Tc-99m-DTPA renography, predicted creatinine clearance method, and plasma sample method

The gamma camera uptake method with Tc-99m-DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is a simple method for determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and is less time-consuming than other methods, but its diagnostic accuracy is debated. Gate’s method (low-dose; LD), the high-dose method (HD), the predicted-clearance method, and the plasmaclearance method with Tc-99m-DTPA are compared in this study. We also performed GFR measurement and diuretic renography simultaneously. Tc-99m DTPA renography was performed in 36 patients aged 18–72 years with a wide range of renal function (serum creatinine 1.37 ± 0.49mg/dl).GFR was determined by four methods: the gamma camera uptake method with low-dose Tc-99m DTPA (Gates, LD); the gamma camera uptake method with high-dose Tc-99m DTPA (HD); the predicted creatinine clearance method (Cockcroft– Gualt, CG); and the plasma sample clearance (PSC) method using a mono-exponential curve. The PSC method was chosen as reference. The regression equations for the CG, Gates (low-dose), and HD methods against the PSC method were 28.68 + 0.80X (r = 0.72; P value\0.0001, RMSE = 21.65 ml/min/ 1.73 m2), 6.19 + 0.79X (r = 0.90; P value\0.0001, RMSE = 10.64 ml/min/1.73 m2), and 6.53 + 0.88X (r = 0.93; P value\0.0001, RMSE = 9.35 ml/min/ 1.73 m2), respectively. In comparison with determination of GFR by the PSC method, the CGmethod tended to overestimate GFR while, perversely, the LD and HD methods tended to underestimate GFR. The three methods were in agreement with the PSC method but the high-dose GFR method resulted in less error in estimation of GFR. Furthermore, GFR measurement and diuretic renography could be performed at the same time when the high-dose method was used. Because of the low cost and negligible radiation burden, this method might be preferred for routine practice in nuclear medicine

Bioavailability of metals occurring in polluted soil and its accumulation in plant food

Bioavailability of metals occurring in soil is the basic source of its accumulation in plant food. The impact of soil pollution (due to urban and mining areas) on the food chain presents a challenge for many investigations. Bioavailability of metals in a potentially polluted soil and their possible transfer and bioaccumulation in several vegetable species and herbs was examined. Three extraction methods were implemented for determination of bioavailable metals in the soil. Microwave digestion was applied for total digestion of the plant tissues, while on the soil samples open wet digestion with a mixture of acids was applied. Atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma was used for determination of total elements contents. Significant enrichments in agricultural soil for As, Pb and Zn (in urban area), Cd, Cu and Ni (in a copper mine area), compared with the respective values from European standards were detected. On the basis of three different extraction methods, higher availability was assumed for both lithogenic and anthropogenic elements. Translocation factors higher than 1 were obtained for As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Higher root to shoot translocation of these metals indicated that plants species have vital characteristics to be used for phytoextraction of these metals. The obtained data also suggested that S. oleracea and R. acetosa were singled out to have a phytostabilization potential for Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb, while U. dioica only for Cu. Rumex acetosa has a potential for phytoextraction of Cd in urban and copper polluted areas

Monitoring citrus nutrition in the Rio Grande Valley for fertilizer recommendations

Soil fertility and plant nutrition is crucial for a better yield and consistent harvest in the Rio Grande Valley for local farmers growing citrus trees. A field of oranges and a field of grapefruits were monitored and nutrition deficiencies were noticed that played an important role during fruit set. Soil samples that were taken throughout the year were analyzed via a carbon dioxide extraction method that mimics the way plants naturally take up nutrients or extract nutrients from every soil type. Macronutrients such as the N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg and some of the micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu) key role to determine the nutrient status of an orchard and gave us a great indication on deciding what fertilizers are going to be taken into consideration for pre and post-harvest for the following year

Long term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland. I. Overall changes in soil properties and trends in winter cereal yields

Changes in fertility of some southern Queensland soils resulting from extended periods of cultivation are presented, together with trends in yields of winter cereals on these soils. Six major soils of the cereal-belt, cropped for maximum periods of 20-70 years were examined. These were: Black earths, Waco soil; grey, brown and red clays (brigalow), Langlands-Logie soil; grey, brown and red clays (poplar box), Cecilvale soil; grey, brown and red clays (belah), Billa Billa soil; grey, brown and red clays (coolibah), Thallon soil; red earths, Riverview soil. Organic matter and its constituents, especially total organic C, organic C in the light fraction, total N and mineralizable N, were affected most by cultivation, showing decreases of 19-67% overall. Other soil properties probably associated with organic matter, including bulk density and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) extractable manganese, were also significantly affected by cultivation in all soils. Soil properties affected least by cultivation were concentrations of inorganic phosphorus, total and exchangeable potassium, calcium carbonate, and dithionite extractable iron and aluminium. Most other soil properties studied (organic P, total sulfur, pH, exchangeable magnesium and sodium, exchangeable sodium percentage, and oxalate-extractable iron and aluminium) were affected by cultivation in at least four soils. Four factors accounted for 70% of the total variation among the 45 soil properties considered. They appeared to represent organic matter, clay colloids, iron and aluminium oxides, and soluble salts. Dry matter yield and/or N uptake of winter cereal crops (wheat and barley) measured in 1983 showed significant decreasing trends with period of cultivation in all soils