Cytotoxicity of Two Gypsophila Species to Human Breast Adenocarcinoma (MCF-7)

Introduction: Cancer is known as the second cause of death worldwide which results in serious problems in human life. It is developed by uncontrolled growth of a cell or a group of cells. Caryophyllaceae is a large family which has been reported to possess cytotoxic species and in the present study, the cytotoxic activity of two plants from this family has been evaluated. Methods and Results: Dried powder of Gypsophila bicolor (Freyn & Sint.) Grossh and Gypsophila ruscifolia Boiss. aerial parts were extracted with methanol 80% by maceration method (10 g). For fractionation, 30 g of the dried powder of both species was macerated with petroleum ether at room temperature. After 24 hours, the mixture was filtered and the plant residues were extracted with chloroform and methanol successively through the same process. Then they were concentrated using a rotary evaporator apparatus. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated against MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), A-549 (non-small cell lung carcinoma) and AGO-1522 (human fibroblast) cell lines using MTT assay. The chloroform fractions of both Gypsophila species showed cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 cells with IC50 value <100 μg/mL. None of the extracts or fractions demonstrated cytotoxicity to A-549 or AGO-1522 cells up to the tested concentrations. Conclusions: The selective toxicity of the chloroform fractions of the species only to the MCF-7 cell line suggested that Gypsophila bicolor and G. ruscifolia could be proper candidates for further studies in the field of cancer researches

Physicochemical and Biochemical Properties of Trypsin-like Enzyme from Two Sturgeon Species

This work aimed to determine the physicochemical and biochemical properties of trypsin from beluga Huso huso and sevruga Acipenser stellatus, two highly valuable sturgeon species. According to the results obtained from the methods of casein-zymogram and inhibitory activity staining, the molecular weight of trypsin for sevruga and beluga was 27.5 and 29.5 kDa, respectively. Optimum pH and temperature values for both trypsins were recorded at 8.5 and 55 °C by BAPNA (a specific substrate), respectively. The stability of both trypsins was well-preserved at pH values from 6.0 to 11.0 and temperatures up to 50 °C. TLCK and SBTI, two specific trypsin inhibitors, showed a significant inhibitory effect on the enzymatic activity of both trypsins (p 0.05). The results of our study show that the properties of trypsin from beluga and sevruga are in agreement with data reported in bony fish and can contribute to the clear understanding of trypsin activity in these primitive species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Use of CLIMEX, Land use and Topography to Refine Areas Suitable for Date Palm Cultivation in Spain under Climate Change Scenarios

In this study, CLIMEX modeling software was used to develop a model of the potential distribution of 'P. dactylifera' under current and various future climate scenarios for Spain. CLIMEX parameters were adjusted depending on satisfactory agreement between the potential and known distribution of 'P. dactylifera' in northern African countries, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran. The potential date palm distribution was modeled under current and future climate scenarios using one emission scenario (A2) with two different Global Climate Models (GCMs): CSIRO-Mk3.0 (CS) and MIROC-H (MR). The CLIMEX outputs were then refined by land use types and areas less than 10° slope, since sloping areas impose problems in hydraulic conductivity and root development. The refined results indicated that large areas in Spain are projected to become climatically more suitable for date palm growth by 2100. However, the results from the CS and MR GCMs show some disagreements. The refined MR GCM projected that approximately 22.86 million hectares in Spain may become suitable for date palm growth, while the CS GCM showed approximately 18.72 million hectares by 2100. The refined results showed that only about 65% of CLIMEX results are suitable for date palm cultivations while the rest of the areas are unsuitable due to the unsuitability of land uses and slope. Our results indicated that cold and wet stresses will play a significant role in date palm distribution in some central and northern regions of Spain by 2100

Future distributions of 'Fusarium oxysporum' f. spp. in European, Middle Eastern and North African agricultural regions under climate change

The levels of inaccuracy in projections of global climate model outputs can be reduced by identification of the correlations between the output results of a number of models, which include common assumptions. Some of the invasive pathogen of 'Fusarium oxysporum' f. spp. pose risks to a number of cash crops such as banana, tomato, palm and garlic while some have a symbiotic relation varying from pathogenic to commensal (null effect), up to beneficial effect. Limitation of occurrence records of many single species such as 'F. oxysporum' f. sp. 'cubense', 'F. oxysporum' f. sp. 'albedinis', 'F. oxysporum' f. sp. 'lycopersici' and 'F. 'oxysporum' f. sp. 'vasinfectum' necessitated this study to model the future distribution of 'F. oxysporum' f. spp. rather than individual species. The future distribution of 'F. oxysporum' f. spp. was modeled by CSIRO-Mk3.0 (CS) and MIROC-H (MR) GCMs, and the results were correlated to identify areas suitable for 'F. oxysporum' f. spp. growth for North Africa, Middle Eastern and European countries for the years 2050 and 2100. The projections established that a number of countries will become highly conducive to this fungus, while others are projected to produce marginal levels of conduciveness by 2050 and 2100. We also demonstrate that refining CLIMEX outputs with a combination of a number of alternative GCMs results ensures that modeled projections become more robust, rather than producing purely hypothetical findings

Improvement to the prediction of the USLE 'K' factor

In the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), the soil erodibility factor ('K') corresponds to the collective effects of the detachment susceptibility of soil and the sediment transportability as well as the amount and rate of runoff under a given rainfall erosivity. Based on the USLE equation, 'K' is sensitive to the particle size distribution ('M'), the percentage of organic matter (%'OM'), soil structure ('Z'), and soil permeability ('perm'). This study evaluated the sensitivity of 'K' to lime content (%'lime') in the soil and slope (%'slope') of the site. Although the effects of the slope factor ('S') on the amount of soil loss ('A') have been independently taken into account in the USLE, our results and other studies showed that 'K' is highly sensitive to other factors including %'lime' and %'slope'. To evaluate the appropriateness of the USLE nomograph and other methods for estimating 'K' and to develop a 'K' estimation method for limy soils, a set of 'K' values were measured in northern Iran using standard plots and natural precipitation events, for four different land uses (forest, rangeland, irrigated farming, and dry farming) and three slope categories (3-8%, 8-18% and 18-40%). Results indicated that there was considerable association between 'K' and soil properties including the contents of sand, silt, very fine sand, organic matter and particularly lime, as well as slope inclination. A strong linear relationship was observed between the 'K' values estimated from our model and the measured 'K' was observed (adjusted 'R'² = 0.89), indicating that considering lime and slope gives a better estimate of 'K'

A modelling implementation of climate change on biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by 'Aspergillus niger' in soil

'Aim': To model the areas becoming and remaining highly suitable for 'Aspergillus niger' growth over the next ninety years by future climate alteration, in relation to the species' potential enhancement of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation in soil. 'Location': Global scale 'Methods': Projections of 'A. niger' growth suitability for 2030, 2050, 2070 and 2100 were made using the A2 emissions scenario together with two Global Climate Models (GCMs): the CSIRO-Mk3.0 (CS) model and the MIROC-H (MR) model through CLIMEX software. Subsequently the outputs of the two GCMs were overlaid to extract common areas in each period of time, providing higher certainty concerning areas which will become highly suitable to 'A. niger' in the future. Afterwards, GIS software was employed to extract sustainable regions for this species growth from present time up to 2100. 'Results': Central and eastern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, eastern United States, southern France, northern Spain, central and southern Italy, southern Hungary, eastern Albania, south western Russia, central and eastern China, eastern Australia, south east of South Africa, central Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, central Kenya, central Ethiopia and north eastern Oman will be highly suitable for 'A. niger' growth from present time up to 2100. 'Main conclusions': Accurately evaluating the impact of landfilling on land use and predicting future climate are vital components for effective long-term planning of waste management. From a social and economic perspective, utilization of our mapped projections to detect suitable regions for establishing landfills in areas highly sustainable for microorganisms like 'A. niger' growth will allow a significant cost reduction and improve the performance of biodegradation of LDPE over a long period of time, through making use of natural climatic and environmental factors

A modelling implementation of climate change on biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by Aspergillus niger in soil

Aim:  To model the areas becoming and remaining highly suitable for Aspergillus niger growth over the next ninety years by future climate alteration, in relation to the species’ potential enhancement of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation in soil. Location:  Global scale Methods:  Projections of A. niger growth suitability for 2030, 2050, 2070 and 2100 were made using the A2 emissions scenario together with two Global Climate Models (GCMs): the CSIRO-Mk3.0 (CS) model and the MIROC-H (MR) model through CLIMEX software. Subsequently the outputs of the two GCMs were overlaid to extract common areas in each period of time, providing higher certainty concerning areas which will become highly suitable to A. niger in the future. Afterwards, GIS software was employed to extract sustainable regions for this species growth from present time up to 2100. Results:  Central and eastern Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, eastern United States, southern France, northern Spain, central and southern Italy, southern Hungary, eastern Albania, south western Russia, central and eastern China, eastern Australia, south east of South Africa, central Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, central Kenya, central Ethiopia and north eastern Oman will be highly suitable for A. niger growth from present time up to 2100. Main conclusions:  Accurately evaluating the impact of landfilling on land use and predicting future climate are vital components for effective long-term planning of waste management. From a social and economic perspective, utilization of our mapped projections to detect suitable regions for establishing landfills in areas highly sustainable for microorganisms like A. niger growth will allow a significant cost reduction and improve the performance of biodegradation of LDPE over a long period of time, through making use of natural climatic and environmental factors

Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by mixed culture of Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus and Aspergillus niger in soil.

In this study, two strains of Aspergillus sp. and Lysinibacillus sp. with remarkable abilities to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were isolated from landfill soils in Tehran using enrichment culture and screening procedures. The biodegradation process was performed for 126 days in soil using UV- and non-UV-irradiated pure LDPE films without pro-oxidant additives in the presence and absence of mixed cultures of selected microorganisms. The process was monitored by measuring the microbial population, the biomass carbon, pH and respiration in the soil, and the mechanical properties of the films. The carbon dioxide measurements in the soil showed that the biodegradation in the un-inoculated treatments were slow and were about 7.6% and 8.6% of the mineralisation measured for the non-UV-irradiated and UV-irradiated LDPE, respectively, after 126 days. In contrast, in the presence of the selected microorganisms, biodegradation was much more efficient and the percentages of biodegradation were 29.5% and 15.8% for the UV-irradiated and non-UV-irradiated films, respectively. The percentage decrease in the carbonyl index was higher for the UV-irradiated LDPE when the biodegradation was performed in soil inoculated with the selected microorganisms. The percentage elongation of the films decreased during the biodegradation process. The Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine structural, morphological and surface changes on polyethylene. These analyses showed that the selected microorganisms could modify and colonise both types of polyethylene. This study also confirmed the ability of these isolates to utilise virgin polyethylene without pro-oxidant additives and oxidation pretreatment, as the carbon source

Advancing the Prediction of PAH Bioaccumulation in Earthworms and Plants for Historically Contaminated Soils Using Chemical In-Vitro Methodologies

Contamination of soil with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by a range of anthropogenic activities causes concern for human and environmental health. Understanding PAH bioavailability provides regulatory decisions for contaminated sites with a realistic assessment of risks associated with the contaminants, and as such a range of approaches have been developed for assessment of contaminant bioavailable fractions. Application of these methods to predict PAH bioaccumulation in terrestrial organisms and plants from historically contaminated (> 50 years) soils has not been broadly studied. The broad aim of this thesis was to understand how a range of well-used in-vitro chemical predictive methods vary in the measurement of PAH bioaccessibility in historically contaminated soils and how effectively the methods can predict PAH bioavailability to different receptors (earthworms and a model plant). 50 years) soils has not been broadly studied. The broad aim of this thesis was to understand how a range of well-used in-vitro chemical predictive methods vary in the measurement of PAH bioaccessibility in historically contaminated soils and how effectively the methods can predict PAH bioavailability to different receptors (earthworms and a model plant). Six in-vitro chemical predictive methods were applied to determine PAH bioaccessible fractions in four historically contaminated manufactured gas plant (MGP) soils. The methods included depletive non-exhaustive extractions (butanol (BuOH), non-buffered and buffered 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin extractions (HPCD, Buf-HPCD), potassium persulfate oxidation (KPS), solid phase extraction using Tenax resin (Tenax)), and a non-depletive method (polyoxymethylene solid-phase extraction (POM)). The chemical extractions were compared with bioassays using different receptors: three representative earthworm ecotypes (Amynthas sp., Eisenia fetida, and Lumbricus terrestris) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) as the model plant. The PAH bioaccessible fraction measured using different in-vitro methods varied significantly across the methods and also among the soils, with the highest quantity of bioaccessible ∑16 PAHs measured using KPS, and the lowest quantity using POM. Soil properties were generally inconclusive as indicators of bioaccesibility for the historically contaminated soils. Moreover, toxicity values and biodegradation endpoints for the contaminated soils derived using bioaccessibility-biodegradability linear regression models on the PAH extracted using the different methods were highly variable, with significant implications for predicted ecotoxicity or success for bioremediation when applied in risk management. Earthworm bioaccumulation studies revealed distinct differences between epigeic surface dwelling standard test species, E. fetida, and the relevant epi-endogeic and anecic burrowing species, Amynthas sp. and L. terrestris, with accumulated ∑16 PAH concentration following the order Amynthas sp. > L. terrestris > E. fetida. Results indicated that gut uptake was important for PAH partitioning into earthworm lipids, specifically for burrowing species and the desorption-resistant higher molecular weight (HMW) PAHs in historically contaminated soils. Calculated bioconcentration factors (BCFs) indicated stronger relationships with octanol water partition coefficients (KOW) for the burrowing species than for E. fetida. This together with the results of predicted BSAFs from measured pore water concentrations demonstrated that EqPT does not consider differences in uptake between organisms, nor changing bioavailability through different exposure routes (e.g. gut uptake), and caution is required when using KOW values as a proxy for BCF in EqPT especially for E. fetida The efficiency of the in-vitro methods for predicting PAH bioaccumulation in the earthworm species was investigated by comparing the method-derived bioaccessibility results with measured bioaccumulation in earthworms directly and using a calculation approach based on EqPT with a combination of different partitioning parameters (KOW values and organic carbon water partition coefficients (KOC values)) to improve predictions. While Tenax and POM showed the best estimates of bioaccumulation in E. fetida by direct comparison, Buf-HPCD provided the best approximation for Amynthas sp. and L. terrestris. The predictions using the calculation approach depended on the receptor and the partitioning parameters used. Integrating KOC values derived from historically contaminated soils into calculations improved predictions for E. fetida using all methods (except Tenax), but this was not the case for soil-burrowing species. In general, despite promising results obtained using HPCD-based, Tenax and POM extractions, no one method accurately predicted measured bioaccumulation in MGP soils for the range representative species. In the last part of this project, PAH bioaccumulation in ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) roots grown in MGP soils was compared with bioaccessibility outcomes of the in-vitro methods both directly and through the EqPT-based calculation approach using different partitioning parameters and different root components (lipid, carbohydrates, and total) regulating PAH sorption. Accumulation of 16 PAHs in L. multiflorum was estimated within a factor of 5 using direct comparison for all bioaccessibility extraction methods, with Buf-HPCD providing the closest estimate. Outcomes using the calculation approach depended on the KOC, KOW values and root components used in calculations. Using KOC values derived from historically contaminated soils improved accuracy of prediction of total root accumulation although precision was poor. Comparative assessment for different root components showed that the combined contribution of PAH in lipid and carbohydrate root components overestimated accumulation and a lipid-based approach using generic partitioning parameters provided more accurate and precise approximation of L. multiflorum bioaccumulation in these soils. Generally, Tenax, Buf-HPCD and POM extractions were promising for the prediction of L. multiflorum root accumulation by different approaches This work significantly extends current knowledge for integrating simple chemical extractions into ecological risk assessment frameworks. The results demonstrated clearly that predicting bioavailability needs to be adapted to the target receptor, and the success of including sitespecific KOC values in modelling depended on organism. Generally, Tenax and POM extractions provided the optimum prtedictions for E. fetida and ryegrass; and HPCD-based extractions for Amynthas sp. and L. terrestris. Expanding the work performed in this project to a wider range of historically contaminated soils from different sites by including suggested predictive methods tested against different plant species (including model crop species), and other earthworm species from each ecotype (such as E. andrei from epigeic and Aporrectodea caliginosa from epi-endogeic ecotypes) would advance the modelling and prediction of PAH bioavailability and improve risk assessment for ecological and human exposure

Are research efforts on Animalia in the South Pacific associated with the conservation status or population trends?

Analyses of knowledge gaps can highlight imbalances in research, encouraging greater proportionality in the distribution of research efforts. In this research we used generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) with the aim to determine if research efforts for the period 2005–2015 for terrestrial vertebrates of Amphibia, Aves, Mammalia and Reptilia in the South Pacific region were correlated with conservation status (critically endangered (CR), endangered (EN), vulnerable (VU), least concern (LC) and near threatened (NT)) or population trends (increasing, stable, decreasing and unknown) through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) database. Our results showed that research distribution was uneven across different classes. Out of 633623 investigated papers, the average number of publications per species was 43.7, 306.7, 717.6 and 115.3 for Amphibia (284 species), Aves (1306 species), Mammalia (243 species) and Reptilia (400 species), respectively. Consistently, the lower publication effort on Amphibia compared to other taxonomic classes was revealed as significant by GLMM analysis. There was no significant differences in research effort among levels of conservation status. However, we found significantly different publication efforts among population trends of all examined species in that species with "unknown" population trends gained significantly lower researchers' attention compared to species with "decreasing" trend. Results also indicated that, although it was not significant, the highest attention is given to species with "increasing" population trend over all taxonomic classes. Using the Information Theoretic approach we also generated a set of competing models to identify most important factors influencing research efforts, revealing that the highest ranked model included taxonomic class and population