Industrial fluoride pollution of Jerbi grape leaves and the distribution of F,Ca, Mg, and P in them

Fluoride damaged leaves of the Jerbi grape vine tree (Vitis vinifera L) growing in the vicinity of a phosphate fertilizer manufacturing plant near Sfax, Tunisia, were used to study the distribution of the chemical elements F, Ca, Mg, and P in the leaves and stalks. Photosynthesis and the chlorophyll content of healthy leaf parts were also investigated to determine tolerance mechanisms of this species to fluoride. The subdivision of the necrotic zone into concentric necrotic halos evidently reflects a series of plant reactions to preserve a large portion of the leaf assimilatory surface. Photosynthesis still occurred with 30 to 40% necrosis of the leaves. Preferential accumulation of F was found in the leaf margins along with a parallel accumulation of Ca. Necrosis becomes evident when a fall in Ca occurs with an excess of F. After this happens, the plant tends to maintain high Mg and P concentrations in its healthy leaf parts. At 60% leaf necrosis, F seems to be effective in reducing photosynthesis and chlorophyll content

Rubella associated with hemophagocytic syndrome. First report in a male and review of the literature

<p>A 22-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of fever, skin rash and epistaxis. Physical examination revealed fever (39.5°C), generalized purpura, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Blood tests showed pancytopenia. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed hemophagocytosis with no evidence of malignant cells. Anti rubella IgM antibody were positif and the IgG titers increased from 16 to 50 UI/mL in 3 days. Therefore, he was diagnosed to have rubella-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. We report herein the first case in a man and the sixth case of rubella-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in the literature by search in Pub Med till March 2012.</p&gt