The Accumulation Risk of Heavy Metals in Vegetables which Grown in Contaminated Soil

أجريت الدراسة الحالية لتقييم الحركة، التراكم الأحيائي ونقل المعادن الثقيلة (الحديد، الزنك، الكادميوم، النيكل، الكروم، المنجنيز، النحاس والرصاص) من التربة الملوثة إلى أنسجة الجذور ومن الجذور إلى الأجزاء الهوائية عن طريق حساب معامل التركيز الأحيائي وعامل الانتقال. جمعت عينات التربة والعينات النباتية لثمانية أنواع من الخضروات خلال موسم الصيف 2019 من أربعة مواقع مختلفة تقع في وادي الأرج ، محافظة الطائف ، المملكة العربية السعودية. بشكل عام ، سجلت عينات التربة المأخذوه من الموقع الثالث والرابع قيمًا مرتفعة من المعادن الثقيلة مقارنةً بالموقعين الأول والثاني. أظهرت التربة من الموقع الرابع أعلى تركيز من Mn و Ni و Cr و Pb و Cu و Cd بلغ 31.63 و 14.05 و 13.56 و 22.79 و 31.02 و 2.98 ملجم / كجم تربة جافة على التوالي ، بينما أظهرت التربة من الموقع الثالث أعلى تركيز للزنك. أشارت البيانات من الدراسة إلى أنه يمكن التعرف على نباتات الخس، النعناع، الشبث، الخيار، الفلفل والقرع التي نمت في مواقع الدراسة على أنها مناسبة للاستهلاك البشري، فهذه الخضروات الستة تراكم المعادن الثقيلة في أعضائها بكميات مقبولة بأقل من المستويات المسموح بها لمنظمة الأغذية والزراعة للأمم المتحدة. بخلاف ذلك، وجد أن تركيزات المعادن الثقيلة في نبات الطماطم ونبات الباذنجان أعلى من الحدود المسموح بها لمنظمة الأغذية والزراعة. الطماطم والباذنجان أيضاً أظهرت قيم عامل التركيز الأحيائي  مرتفعة لمعظم المعادن الثقيلة المقاسة. بالنسبة للطماطم كان معامل التركيز الأحيائي لكل من الكادميوم، النحاس، الحديد، الرصاص، المنجنيز، الزنك، الكروم والنيكل 27.250، 42.150، ،1.023، ND، 4.649، 0.459، 5.926 و 29.409 على التوالي. بينما كان في الباذنجان 21.333، ND، 2.360، 0.170، 3.113، 0.623، ND و 50.318 على التوالي.لتجنب الآثار الضارة لتراكم المعادن الثقيلة على صحة الإنسان ، يجب مراعاة الفحص المستمر للمحاصيل المزروعة في الترب الملوثة بالمعادن الثقيلة. أشارت البيانات من الدراسة إلى أنه يمكن التعرف على نباتات الخس، النعناع، الشبث، الخيار، الفلفل والقرع التي نمت في مواقع الدراسة على أنها مناسبة للاستهلاك البشري، فهذه الخضروات الستة تراكم المعادن الثقيلة في أعضائها بكميات مقبولة بأقل من المستويات المسموح بها لمنظمة الأغذية والزراعة. بخلاف ذلك، وجد أن تركيزات المعادن الثقيلة في نبات الطماطم ونبات الباذنجان أعلى من الحدود المسموح بها لمنظمة الأغذية والزراعة. الطماطم والباذنجان أيضاً أظهرت قيم عامل التركيز الأحيائي  مرتفعة لمعظم المعادن الثقيلة المقاسة. بالنسبة للطماطم قيم عامل التركيز الأحيائي لكل من الكادميوم، النحاس، الحديد، الرصاص، المنجنيز، الزنك، الكروم والنيكل كانت 27.250، 42.150، ،1.023، 0.000، 4.649، 0.459، 5.926 و 29.409 على التوالي. بينما كانت في الباذنجان 21.333، 0.000، 2.360، 0.170، 3.113، 0.623، 0.000 و 50.318 على التوالي. لا ينصح بزراعة الطماطم والباذنجان في التربة الملوثة بالمعادن الثقيلة بدون معالجة التربة مع ضرورة إجراء تحليل دوري للأجزاء الصالحة للأكل من الخضروات المزروعة في التربة الملوثة بالمعادن الثقيلة لمراقبة هذه المواد في النظام الغذائي البشري وتجنب آثاره الضارة على صحة الإنسان.The present study has been carried out to estimate heavy metals mobility, bioconcentration and transfer from polluted soil to roots tissues and from roots tissues to aerial parts using bioconcentration factor and translocation factor. Soil samples and the biomass of the eight vegetable species have been collected during summer season, 2019 from four different sites in Wadi Al-Arg, Taif Governorate, KSA. In general, heavy metals content of soil samples in site III and IV have recorded elevated values compared with those of site I and II. The soil from site IV has shown the highest concentration of Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu, and Cd amounted 31.63, 14.05, 13.56, 22.79, 31.02 and 2.98 mg/kg dry soil respectively, while the soil from site III has shown the highest concentration of Zn. The data referred to the fact that Mentha longifolia, Cucumis sativus, Capsicum annuum, Lactuca sativa Cucurbita pepo, and Anethum graveolens that grown in sites of investigation could be recognized as suitable for human consumption. These six vegetables could accumulate the measured heavy metals in their tissues with acceptable quantities, less than the permissible levels of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Otherwise, heavy metal concentrations in Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum melongena have been found to be higher than permissible limits of FAO. Both plants also have shown elevated bioconcentration factors values for most of measured heavy metals. For S. lycopersicum the bioconcentration factor values of Fe, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Zn have been found to be 42.150, 27.250, 1.023, ND, 5.926, 4.649, 29.409, and 0.459 respectively. While for S. melongena, they have been 2.360, 21.333, ND, 0.170, ND, 3.113, 50.318, and 0.623, respectively. To avoid the harmful effects of the heavy metals accumulation on human health, consideration should be given to the constant examination to the edible parts of the vegetables grown in heavy metals contaminated soil

Brushite: Synthesis, Properties, and Biomedical Applications

In this chapter, besides its biomedical applications, the synthesis and properties of brushite were investigated. Brushite consists of two types of crystals, platy and needle-like, and their formation depends on the pH of the medium during precipitation. Platy crystals are formed in a slightly acidic medium, pH = 5, and needle-like crystals at a higher pH = 6.5–7. In this study, the monoclinic brushite crystals were synthesized using dissolution-precipitation reactions. It is found that the brushite crystal growth occurs mainly along the (020) crystallographic plane. The thermogravimetric analysis confirms the presence of the two structural water molecules, which decompose at a temperature range between 80 and 220°C. Brushite was used in the preparation of tetracalcium phosphate mineral, which is the powder component for calcium phosphate cement (CPC). CPC was subsequently prepared from TTCP and phosphate-based hardening solution. In vitro evaluation of the resultant CPC using Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution results in the growth of nanofibrous crystals of Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) layers on the surfaces of the CPC. The cultured CPC exhibits new connective tissues and throughout the CaP matrix

Proteomic alterations in various plant tissues of maize under induced chromium stress

Heavy metal contamination is becoming a major cause of pollution in the environment, impacting humans, animals, and plants directly. Because of its widespread use in the tanning industry, chromium (Cr) regarded as a highly dangerous environmental toxin. The goal of this study was to investigate growth and proteins changes in different plant tissues (leaves, shoots, and seeds) of two maize cultivars (NMH-360 and DKC 61-42) under the stress of Cr (0, 50, and 150 ppm Cr). Sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to observe plant proteome modification in response to Cr stress. Results revealed that at 150 ppm, both maize cultivars showed a decrease in plant growth attributes. Furthermore, it was noticed that the plant proteome changed in response to Cr stress in leaf and shoot tissues. A few proteins were up-regulated (70 kDa in C1 variety), while others were down-regulated (154, 140, 115, 80, 70 and 53 kDa in C1 cultivar shoots while 154, 65, 60, 17 kDa bands in shoots of C2 cultivar). Some protein bands were induced at 50 ppm, some at 150 ppm, and yet others at both concentrations. The findings of this study could aid in the selection of Cr-tolerant plant cultivars as well as the design of new protein biomarkers that can be utilized as a monitoring tool in heavy metal stress responses

High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis is an efficient tool to genotype EMS mutants in complex crop genomes

Background: Targeted Induced Loci Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) is increasingly being used to generate and identify mutations in target genes of crop genomes. TILLING populations of several thousand lines have been generated in a number of crop species including Brassica rapa. Genetic analysis of mutants identified by TILLING requires an efficient, high-throughput and cost effective genotyping method to track the mutations through numerous generations. High resolution melt (HRM) analysis has been used in a number of systems to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletions (IN/DELs) enabling the genotyping of different types of samples. HRM is ideally suited to high-throughput genotyping of multiple TILLING mutants in complex crop genomes. To date it has been used to identify mutants and genotype single mutations. The aim of this study was to determine if HRM can facilitate downstream analysis of multiple mutant lines identified by TILLING in order to characterise allelic series of EMS induced mutations in target genes across a number of generations in complex crop genomes. Results: We demonstrate that HRM can be used to genotype allelic series of mutations in two genes, BraA.CAX1a and BraA.MET1.a in Brassica rapa. We analysed 12 mutations in BraA.CAX1.a and five in BraA.MET1.a over two generations including a back-cross to the wild-type. Using a commercially available HRM kit and the Lightscanner™ system we were able to detect mutations in heterozygous and homozygous states for both genes. Conclusions: Using HRM genotyping on TILLING derived mutants, it is possible to generate an allelic series of mutations within multiple target genes rapidly. Lines suitable for phenotypic analysis can be isolated approximately 8-9 months (3 generations) from receiving M3 seed of Brassica rapa from the RevGenUK TILLING service

Glaucoma among Saudi Arabian population: a scoping review

Despite its high risk of leading to permanent visual dysfunction, glaucoma remains underdiagnosed in primary care settings. About 11% of glaucoma patients in Saudi Arabia end up with bilateral blindness. This scoping review investigates and presents results on the glaucoma profile, including its prevalence, knowledge, attitude, and practice of Saudi Arabians towards the disease. An online search using four databases through online software (www.rayyan.ai) was performed to extract the relevant articles. Out of 76 records, 21 articles were eligible for the analysis. All included studies were published between the years 2014 and 2022. Most studies were in Riyadh city, followed by Jeddah. All participants (n=11 388) were adults >18 years old, and male participants were generally higher than females. The findings showed poor knowledge of glaucoma among the general population, while the knowledge among glaucoma patients was acceptable. The attitude was positive, while the compliance and practice were fair. More educational programs about glaucoma, its risk to the eyes, and the overall quality of life are highly recommended

Characterising the effects of phosphorus (P) supply on zinc (Zn) nutrition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Phosphorus (P) and Zinc (Zo) are essential nutrients for plant growth. Plants typically have a [P] leaf of 3 mg P g-1 dry weight. Most plants contain leaf Zn concentrations [Zn]leaf of <0.1 mg Zn g- 1 dry weight (DW)- [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf vary substantially according to the characteristics of the growing media and due to genetic factors. A complex relationship between [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf, known as P-induced Zn deficiency (PIZnD), has been documented in several crop species, in which high levels of [p]ext appear to induce Zn deficiency symptoms, although the mechanism by which this occurs is not known. The aim of this project was to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf in planta, using Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh as a model system. The first scientific objective was to explore the relationship between [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf at a physiological level, in which the growth and global mineral composition of leaves were determined over at a range of external concentrations of P ([P]ext). The second scientific objective was to determine the effect of [P]ext on global changes in gene expression. The overarching hypothesis was that increases in [P]ext lead to increases in [P]leaf which, in turn lead to down regulation of genes which are involved in Zn uptake and transport. Two sets of technical experiments were conducted to optimise an assay system used to induce P toxicity symptoms. First, to optimise leaf mineral analysis, plant certified reference materials were used to determine the minimum weight of material required for analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and this was compared to established inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. This experiment demonstrated that 0.3 g DW of a cabbage standard reference material was sufficient to accurately and precisely detect the composition of nine elements, including P and Zn. Second, plants were grown in an in vitro cultivation system comprising a minimal agar, supplemented with mineral salts at eight [P]"" levels (0 to 10 mM)- Shoot and root fresh and dry weights and mineral composition were measured after 14 d of growth.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Characterising the effects of phosphorus (P) supply on zinc (Zn) nutrition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Phosphorus (P) and Zinc (Zo) are essential nutrients for plant growth. Plants typically have a [P] leaf of 3 mg P g-1 dry weight. Most plants contain leaf Zn concentrations [Zn]leaf of <0.1 mg Zn g- 1 dry weight (DW)- [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf vary substantially according to the characteristics of the growing media and due to genetic factors. A complex relationship between [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf, known as P-induced Zn deficiency (PIZnD), has been documented in several crop species, in which high levels of [p]ext appear to induce Zn deficiency symptoms, although the mechanism by which this occurs is not known. The aim of this project was to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf in planta, using Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh as a model system. The first scientific objective was to explore the relationship between [P]leaf and [Zn]leaf at a physiological level, in which the growth and global mineral composition of leaves were determined over at a range of external concentrations of P ([P]ext). The second scientific objective was to determine the effect of [P]ext on global changes in gene expression. The overarching hypothesis was that increases in [P]ext lead to increases in [P]leaf which, in turn lead to down regulation of genes which are involved in Zn uptake and transport. Two sets of technical experiments were conducted to optimise an assay system used to induce P toxicity symptoms. First, to optimise leaf mineral analysis, plant certified reference materials were used to determine the minimum weight of material required for analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and this was compared to established inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. This experiment demonstrated that 0.3 g DW of a cabbage standard reference material was sufficient to accurately and precisely detect the composition of nine elements, including P and Zn. Second, plants were grown in an in vitro cultivation system comprising a minimal agar, supplemented with mineral salts at eight [P]"" levels (0 to 10 mM)- Shoot and root fresh and dry weights and mineral composition were measured after 14 d of growth.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

A Multimethod Approach to Identify Factors and Improve the Process of Deprescribing Anticholinergics in Older Adults

Polypharmacy in older adults presents several challenges, such as suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and increased adverse effects. Deprescribing, a clinically supervised process of decreasing dosage or stopping the medication when risks outweigh benefits, has emerged as one possible solution to these problems. However, the literature describing deprescribing intervention frameworks is heterogenous regarding targeted medications to deprescribe, population characteristics, clinical settings, and measured outcomes. This dissertation utilizes Linsky et al.\u27s deprescribing conceptual model, which details factors influencing decisions regarding initiating deprescribing interventions and their direct impact on the process. This dissertation utilizes a multimethod approach to investigate factors that facilitate and improve the deprescribing of anticholinergic medications for older adults, addressing gaps in this population\u27s anticholinergic medication use. The three studies included in this dissertation provide a comprehensive understanding of deprescribing anticholinergic medications for this population, each contributing unique insights and results. The first study explores the feasibility of in-person and remote Home Medication Inventory Method (HMIM) approaches to evaluate over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication possession and use, including anticholinergics. Results demonstrate that both methods can accurately assess anticholinergic medication usage patterns, providing healthcare providers with reproducible methods and detailed medication profiles to make informed deprescribing decisions based on complete medication lists. The second study examined the intertwined roles of social determinants of health and health beliefs in predicting older adults\u27 self-reported deprescribing behaviors, proposing the Deprescribing Health Belief Model (DeRx-HBM) framework that can be utilized for these efforts. These results emphasize the importance of considering these elements when creating a patient-centric and culturally sensitive intervention since they significantly shape deprescribing behaviors. In the third study, we explored the use of a symptom-specific scale for measuring the symptom burden in older adults during the deprescribing of anticholinergic medications prescribed for urinary incontinence, depression, and pain management. This research introduces a validated scale for assessing anticholinergic symptom burden prior to, throughout, and following the deprescribing attempt. The implementation of this scale has the potential to enhance the reproducibility and standardization of deprescribing decisions. Furthermore, it can improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients, as well as monitor the effectiveness of interventions during and after the deprescribing process. Collectively, these studies provide invaluable insights into factors influencing deprescribing decisions, obstacles to implementing deprescribing practices, and potential strategies to optimize medication management in older adults. The major takeaway from these studies is that addressing these factors leads to more informed decisions among healthcare professionals and patients - potentially leading to improved patient outcomes, ensure the ongoing effectiveness of deprescribing initiatives among older adults, and the promotion of health equity throughout the deprescribing process

UV-C seed priming improves tomato plant growth against salt stress

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of UV-C dry seed priming at two doses (0.85 and 3.42 kJ.m−2), on tomato under salt stress (NaCl, 100 mM). Results show that salinity causes a regression of tomato growth by 63%, an accumulation of Na+ causing a reduction in K+ uptake and therefore an increase of photosynthetic processes (28, 28 and 23% for Chl. a, Chl. tot and Car., respectively), also an augmentation in soluble protein contents and a decrease or an increase in oxidative stress indicators and secondary metabolites depending on organs. UV-C seed priming has been shown to improve tomato growth by reducing the adverse effects of salinity on physiological and biochemical parameters. This research revealed that UV-C seed applications are an efficient approach to controlling the aggressiveness of salt stress on tomato roots and leaves. Specific doses of UV-C are required to trigger the physiological control of plants against salt stress

Supplementation of Jasmonic acid Mitigates the Damaging Effects of Arsenic Stress on Growth, Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Metabolism in Rice

Abstract Experiments were conducted to evaluate the role of exogenously applied jasmonic acid (JA; 0.1 and 0.5 µM) in alleviating the toxic effects of arsenic (As; 5 and 10 µM) stress in rice. Plants treated with As showed considerable decline in growth attributes like height, fresh and dry weight of plant. Arsenic stress reduced the content of δ-amino livulenic acid (δ-ALA), glutamate 1-semialdehyde (GSA), total chlorophylls and carotenoids, with more reduction evident at higher (10 µM) As concentrations, however exogenously supplied JA alleviated the decline to considerable extent. Arsenic stress mediated decline in photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, Fv/Fm (PSII activity) and Rubisco activity was alleviated by the exogenous treatment of JA. Arsenic stress caused oxidative damage which was evident as increased lipid peroxidation, lipoxygenase activity and hydrogen peroxide concentrations however, JA treatment declined these parameters. Treatment of JA improved the activity of nitrate reductase and glutamate synthase under unstressed conditions and also alleviated the decline triggered by As stress. Activity of antioxidant enzymes assayed increased due to As stress, and the supplementation of JA caused further increase in their activities. Moreover, the content of proline, free amino acids and total phenols increased significantly due to JA application under stressed and unstressed conditions. Treatment of JA increased the content of nitrogen and potassium while as reduced As accumulation significantly