Assessment of lanthanum (La) and cerium (Ce) phytotoxicity in a halophyte species: Limbarda crithmoides L.

Rare earth elements (REEs) can harmfully affect the growth and development of several plant species. However, there is a lack of studies providing the effect of REEs on Limbarda crithmoides seedlings. In the present study, the growth parameters, chlorophyll content, macroelement uptake, phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents of the halophyte L. crithmoides were analysed, after 14 days of exposure to increasing concentrations (up to 10 µM) of two light REEs; lanthanum (La) and cerium (Ce), to assess the phytotoxicity level of these REEs in the chosen species. La and Ce contents in the plant tissues were determined as well. Results revealed an inhibitory effect of La and Ce on plant growth; the length and the dry biomass production of the shoots and roots significantly decreased in all REEs concentrations, when compared to the control. Similar trend was recorded in chlorophyll a and b contents in plant leaves. Moreover, La and Ce treatments significantly decreased the uptake of potassium, calcium and magnesium in the shoots and roots of L. crithmoides while the amounts of both La and Ce were found elevated in the same organs. All La and Ce treatments promoted the stimulation of phenolic compound biosynthesis in shoots and roots. According to our experiments, the halophyte L. crithmoides was very sensitive to both La and Ce toxicity

Comparison of Digestion Methods Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for the Determination of Metal Levels in Plants

Trace metal elements (TMEs) are among the most important types of pollutants in the environment. Therefore, a precise determination of these contaminants in several environmental components is required for the safety assurance of living organisms. Spectroscopic analysis is an efficient technique employed to detect and determine TME contents in numerous samples. Hence, to achieve reliable and accurate results when using spectroscopic analysis, samples should be carefully prepared. In the present study, the comparison of eight digestion methods of five vegetal samples was carried out to quantify Cd, Mn, Al and Mg contents using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. According to the extraction techniques used in this study, results showed an outstanding difference in TME levels determined in the same vegetal sample. The results obtained indicated that the highest Mn concentrations were recorded when using the mixture of HNO3-HClO4 in the studied species: atriplex portulacoides, arthrocnemum indicum, olea europaea BCR-62, ulva lactuca and ulva lactuca BCR-279 compared to all other methods. Regarding the extraction of Cd, our results showed that heated extraction using different acids (HNO3-H2SO4-HClO4, HCl-HNO3, HNO3-HClO4, HNO3-H2SO4, HNO3-HCl-HClO4 and HNO3-HCl-H2SO4) was the most efficient in atriplex portulacoides, arthrocnemum indicum, olea europaea BCR-62, ulva lactuca and ulva lactuca BCR-279. Similarly, these heated acid digestion techniques (efficient for Cd) showed the highest levels of Al in atriplex portulacoides and arthrocnemum indicum. However, for the Mg extraction, our results revealed that the effectiveness of the method used depended on the plant species studied. Regarding these findings, the efficiency of metal quantification by AAS depends on the digestion procedure, the metallic ion to determine and the plant species

A new operative approach for long-gap esophageal atresia

Surgical management of long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) remains challenging. Yet, there is a consensus among pediatric surgeons to preserve native esophagus. We used a new surgical technique to successfully manage three children diagnosed with LGEA. This technique consists of a combined thoracic and cervical approach to the EA repair using the patient's native esophagus. All patients initially had had gastrostomy and continuous upper pouch suction while awaiting surgery. This new technique has the potential to become the choice method in LGEA management

Burns injury in children: Is antibiotic prophylaxis recommended?

Background: Wound infection is the most frequent complication in burn patients. There is a lack of guidelines on the use of systemic antibiotics in children to prevent this complication. Patients and Methods: A prospective study is carried out on 80 patients to evaluate the role of antibiotic prophylaxis in the control of infections. Results: The mean age was 34 months (9 months to 8 years). There was a male predominance with sex ratio of 1.66. The mean burn surface size burn was 26.5% with total burn surface area ranging from 5% to 33%, respectively. According to American Burn Association 37% (30/80) were severe burns with second and third degree burns >10% of the total surface body area in children aged <10 years old. Scalds represented 76.2% (61/80) of the burns. Burns by hot oil were 11 cases (13.7%), while 8 cases (10%) were flame burns. The random distribution of the groups was as follow: Group A (amoxicilline + clavulanic acid) = 25 cases, Group B (oxacilline) = 20 cases and Group C (no antibiotics) = 35 cases. Total infection rate was 20% (16/80), distributed as follow: 8 cases (50%) in Group C, 5 cases (31.2%) in Group A and 3 cases in Group B (18.7%). Infection rate in each individual group was: 22.9% (8 cases/35) in Group C, 20% (5 cases/25) in Group A and 15% (3 cases/20) in Group B (P = 0.7). They were distributed as follow: Septicaemia 12 cases/16 (75%), wound infection 4 cases/16 (25%). Bacteria isolated were with a decreasing order: Staphylococcus aureus (36.3%), Pseudomonas (27.2%), Escherichia coli (18.1%), Klebsiella (9%) and Enterobacteria (9%). There is a tendency to a delayed cicatrisation (P = 0.07) in case of hot oil burns (65.18 ± 120 days) than by flame (54.33 ± 19.8 days) than by hot water (29.55 ± 26.2 days). Otherwise no toxic shock syndrome was recorded in this study. Conclusion: It is concluded that adequate and careful nursing of burn wounds seems to be sufficient to prevent complications and to obtain cicatrisation. Antibiotics are indicated only to treat confirmed infections

Lipoblastoma in childhood: About 10 cases

Background: Lipoblastoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumour of embryonal fat that occurs almost exclusively in infants and children. This determined the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspect of this disease. Materials and Methods: A total of 10 cases of pathologically proven lipoblastoma from 2003 to 2012 were reviewed. Results: There were six boys and four girls ranging in age from 7 months to 9 years. A soft-tissue mass was the main complain in nine patients. The various locations of the mass were mediastinal, thigh, buttock, inguino-scrotal, the greater omentum and the Latissimus dorsi. Lesions measured 5-15 cm. complete excision was done. The median time of follow-up was 42 months (ranges between 18 and 84 months). There were no recurrences. Conclusion: It is important to consider lipoblastoma in the diagnosis of a rapidly enlarging fatty mass in children. Complete resection is the only definitive treatment and should not be delayed when impingement on surrounding structures is imminent. There is a tendency for these lesions to recur despite presumed complete excision. Therefore, follow-up for a minimum of 5 years is recommended