Effect of Occupational Cadmium Exposure on Parathyroid Gland

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is used in many industries. High-level exposure is associated with severe kidney and bone damage.AIM: This study investigates the possible effect of occupational cadmium exposure on parathyroid gland and some minerals in workers.METHODS: Environmental air monitoring of cadmium was done. Serum and urine cadmium levels, kidney function, some minerals, and plasma parathormone were estimated in the studied groups. RESULTS: The exposed workers had significantly higher Cd concentration in serum and urine than controls. The mean levels of plasma parathyroid hormone, serum phosphorus and magnesium were significantly lower among the exposed group. However, the mean levels of serum creatinine and calcium were significantly higher in the same group when compared to referents. There was a significant positive correlation between Cd concentration in the serum and urine for the exposed group. The biological Cd exposure indices correlated positively with serum calcium and negatively with plasma PTH level. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, bone ache, joint pain and muscle spasm were more prevalent among the exposed workers compared with the controls with odds ratio 4.316, 3.053 and 3.103 respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Occupational cadmium exposure has an adverse effect on PTH level and serum human minerals

Comparative Hepatotoxicity of Aflatoxin B1 among Workers Exposed to Different Organic Dust with Emphasis on Polymorphism Role of Glutathione S-Transferase Gene

AIM: The study aimed to investigate effects of organic dust exposure from different sources on aflatoxin B1-albumin adducts (AFB1/Alb), and role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphism in hepatotoxicity of (AFB1) among exposed workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Liver enzymes, AFB1/Alb, and GST polymorphism were estimated in 132 wheat flour dust and 87 woods sawmill workers, and 156 controls.RESULTS: Results revealed that AFB1/Alb and liver enzymes were significantly elevated in exposed workers compared to controls, and were significantly higher in sawmill workers compared to flour workers. AFB1/Alb in flour and sawmill workers with GSTT1 and GSTM1&GSTT1 null genotypes were significantly higher than controls, and in sawmill workers with GSTM1&GSTT1 null than flour workers. Liver enzymes (ALT and AST) in sawmill workers were significantly higher than flour workers and controls in all GST polymorphism; except in GSTT1 polymorphism, where these enzymes were significantly higher in the two exposed groups than controls.CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, organic dust exposure may cause elevation in AFB1/Alb and liver enzymes of exposed workers, and GST gene polymorphism plays an important role in susceptibility to hepatic parenchymal cell injury; except in workers with GSTT1&GSTM1 null genotype, gene susceptibility seemed to have little role and the main role was for environmental exposures

Reproductive outcome, hormone levels and liver enzymes in agricultural female workers

The study aimed to explore the effects of exposure to pesticides on the reproductive health and liver function of females participating in agricultural work. Blood samples were obtained from the thirty-five females (out of one hundred females of reproductive age) who were willing to donate blood. Fifty females matched for age and socio economic status were recruited as a control group to compare levels of hormones (estradiol, progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone), liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Results showed that 53% of the females examined in this village were illiterate. Agricultural work represented 42% of the occupations encountered by females in the study. Females who helped in farming operations showed a higher incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome such as abortions and stillbirths compared to those who did not share in agricultural work. There was a significant elevation in estradiol and progesterone levels among female agricultural workers and controls. There was also elevation in serum liver enzymes (AST and ALT) in agricultural workers compared to the controls. However, there was a significant decrease in FSH level in females sharing in agricultural activities compared to the controls. It could be concluded that participation of females in agricultural activities with potential exposure to pesticides endangers their reproductive health and liver functions. Rural areas in Egypt require more attention to increase the percentage of literacy among females and raise their health awareness

Hydrogel Improved Growth and Productive Performance of Mango Trees under Semi-Arid Condition

Nowadays, the production of new mango cultivars is increased in many countries worldwide. The soil application of hydrogel represents a novel approach in the fruit trees industry. This investigation aims to study the effect of adding hydrogel (as soil conditioner) on the growth and yield of Shelly cv. mango trees. The experimental groups were assigned to a control group and three other treated groups, including 250, 500, or 750 g hydrogel∙tree−1. The results demonstrated that all applications of hydrogel composite had higher vegetative growth parameters, yield, and fruit quality characteristics of Shelly cv. mango trees compared to the control. The treatment of 750 g hydrogel∙tree−1 had higher values of vegetative growth parameters such as the leaf area, shoot length and tree canopy volume, compared to the control group and the other treatments. Similarly, higher values for yield and fruit quality were observed in the treatment of 750 g hydrogel∙tree−1. In conclusion, different amounts of hydrogel agent can improve the production and fruit quality of Shelly cv. mango trees in arid and semi-arid conditions in a dose-dependent manner

Alleviate the Drought Stress on Triticum aestivum L. Using the Algal Extracts of Sargassum latifolium and Corallina elongate Versus the Commercial Algal Products

Herein, two seaweed extracts (Sargassum latifolium and Corallina elongate), and two commercial seaweed products (Canada power and Oligo-X) with a concentration of 5% were used to alleviate the drought stress on wheat plants. The extract of C. elongate had the highest capacity to ameliorate the deleterious effects of water scarcity followed by S. latifolium and the commercial products. The drought stress reduced wheat shoots length and the contents of pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), carbohydrates, and proteins. While the highest increment in the total carbohydrates and protein contents of the wheat shoot after two stages, 37-and 67-days-old, were noted in drought-stressed plants treated with C. elongate extract with values of (34.6% and 22.8%) and (51.9% and 39.5%), respectively, compared to unstressed plants. Decreasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, peroxidase, superoxidase dismutase, and polyphenol oxidase in drought-stressed plants treated with algal extracts indicated amelioration of the response actions. Analysis of phytohormones in wheat plants exhibited increasing GA3 and IAA contents with percentages of (20.3–13.8%) and (72.7–25%), respectively. Interestingly, all morphological and metabolic characteristics of yield were improved due to the algal treatments compared with untreated drought-stressed plants. Overall, the algal extracts, especially those from seaweed of C. elongate, could represent a sustainable candidate to overcome the damage effects of water deficiency in the wheat plant

Integrative Application of Foliar Yeast Extract and Gibberellic Acid Improves Morpho-Physiological Responses and Nutrient Uptake of Solidago virgaurea Plant in Alkaline Soil

Alkaline soils have fertility issues due to poor physical qualities, which have a negative impact on crop growth and output. Solidago is used in flower arrangements, bouquet filler, and traditional medicine. The possible biological fertilizers’ eco-friendly and cost-effective nature favours farmers because of the vital role in soil productivity and environmental sustainability. A field experiment was performed during two successive seasons to explore the effect of applying yeast extract (YE) at (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/L) and/or gibberellic acid (GA3) at (control, 100, 200, and 300 ppm) on the morpho-physiological parameters, macronutrients, and biochemical constituents of Solidago virgaurea. The results emphasize that YE (1.5 g/L) and/or GA3 (300 ppm) treatments show the highest significant increase in plant growth (i.e., plant height, no. of branches, fresh and dry weight of shoots); photosynthetic efficiency (i.e., chlorophyll (a), chlorophyll (b) and total carotenoids); macronutrient content (i.e., N, P, and K); and biochemical constituents (i.e., total soluble sugars, total phenolic, total flavonoids, and total glycosides). The study results recommend using YE and GA3 in combination at concentrations of 1.5 g/L and 300 ppm, respectively, to improve Solidago production sustainability under alkaline soil conditions

Kaolin Improves Photosynthetic Pigments, and Antioxidant Content, and Decreases Sunburn of Mangoes: Field Study

The Keitt mango tree has a low canopy that leads to an increase in sunburned fruits. Hence, the fruit quality is markedly reduced due to the fruit being exposed to physiological disorders. The sunburn injury problem is common due to high levels of solar radiation and the low number of leaves, which minimizes the protection of small, newly formed fruits. Kaolin spray has emerged as a promising approach for mango trees since it improves vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality in new lands. This search aimed to study the influence of spraying kaolin on Keitt mango trees grafted on ‘Succary’ rootstock. The treatments were as follows: control, 2%, 4%, and 6% of kaolin. Our results indicated that the applications of kaolin significantly improved leaf area, tree canopy volume, photosynthesis pigments such as chlorophyll-a and b, carotenoids of leaf and yield (kg/tree), and the physical and chemical characteristics of Keitt mango cultivar in comparison with the control. A higher concentration of kaolin decreased the leaf content of antioxidants such as total phenolic, total flavonoid, CAT, POX, and PPO enzyme activities. Furthermore, the number of sunburned fruits was significantly reduced after the application of kaolin in comparison to control fruits. Regarding vegetative growth, our results indicated that adding kaolin at 6% enhanced the leaf surface area and tree canopy volume compared to the control and other treatments. A similar trend was noticed regarding yield and fruit quality, whereas the best values were obtained when kaolin was sprayed at a concentration of 6%. In conclusion, the application of kaolin can improve the production and fruit quality of Keitt mango trees by reducing the effects of adverse summer conditions