Empirical investigation of water pollution control through use of Phragmites australis

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This research study addresses a problem of water pollution caused by heavy and toxic metals Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb. The thesis proposes the use of the technique of phytoremediation using Phragmites australis (PA) plants that have the capacity to absorb and to accumulate such metals in their roots and leaves. The metal uptake and their location of accumulation in the PA plants were determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) respectively. Leachates from contaminated plant biomass were mixed with silver nitrate to assess the manufacture of metal nanoparticles as an added value step in the process from remediation to biomass disposal. Silver nanoparticles were readily manufactured by the leachates without, with the exception of copper, any incorporation of the pollutant metal. The presence of copper in the manufactured silver nanoparticles may be of some commercial use. The results obtained show that PA plants will accumulate toxic metals when in hydroponic culture and that the majority of the accumulated metals are sequestered in the roots and do not enter the aerial parts of the plants in significant amounts. Silver nanoparticles were manufactured from the biomass using a low energy route with no additional chemicals, apart from silver nitrate thus reducing the environmental load that would otherwise be present if a chemical means of nanoparticle production was used

Investigation into potential non-target effects from the use of emamectin benzoate trunk injections for the management of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

2020 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.A potentially significant source of increased conflict in Colorado involving insecticide use in urban areas and honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) recently emerged with the establishment of the invasive species emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Detected in Colorado in 2013, numerous concerns were quickly raised about potential non-target effects from the enormous increase in insecticide use on urban trees in the state that are used to manage this insect. A series of studies were conducted to address some of these and are presented in three chapters. Chapter I, focuses on the types of pollen that honey bees collect from urbanized sites in northern Colorado during the onset of flowering during late winter (early March) through mid-spring (early May), giving particular attention to the incidence of pollen collected by honey bees from ash (Fraxinus), which flowers at this time. This project found that some ash pollen is collected, averaging 9.9 percent of the total, during the earliest period when pollen sources first become available, in March and when green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall) is in flower. Incidence of ash pollen collection then dropped greatly, when a wider range of alternative pollen sources become available in the later blooming species white ash (Fraxinus americana L.). Important pollen sources were identified with early blooming Acer representing a very high proportion of pollen collected during late winter/early spring. Other notably common sources of pollen in samples included Prunus, Salix, and Brassicaceae. These first studies can also be used in plans to improve availability of early season pollen resources for honey bees and to identify plants that bloom coincident with ash and can provide alternative pollen for honey bees during periods of ash bloom. Chapter II examined whether there would be effects on decomposition of senesced green ash leaves collected during leaf fall from trees previously treated with trunk injections of insecticides (emamectin benzoate, azadirachtin). These involved a series of studies, using litterbags conducted over four years. There was no difference in leaf decomposition in the first two years, when litterbags had a mesh size (5mm) large enough to allow access by earthworms and they were shallowly buried; all leaf matter was completely degraded regardless of insecticide history. Subsequent trials in the following two years used litterbags with a smaller mesh size (2mm) designed to exclude earthworms but allow access by microarthropods involved in decomposition of leaf litter (e.g., Collembola, Oribatida). In addition, differences in litterbag placement (surface, shallow burial) and length of field exposure (90 days, 150 days) were included in the last two study years, which used foliage from two sites. In some, but not all, studies there were significant reductions (compared to the untreated control) in leaf area loss in litterbags of leaves collected from trees with a history of use of emamectin benzoate (TREE-äge) and azadirachtin (Tree-Azin), compared to the untreated control. Chapter III measured levels of emamectin benzoate residues present in different plant tissues collected from green ash: senescing leaves at leaf fall, flowers, and pollen. All samples of senescent foliage collected in October 2018, approximately four months after emamectin benzoate application, had detectable residues of emamectin benzoate but at levels never exceeding 1.1ppb. Sample collections of the trees made the previous season (October 2017), when a period of 16 months had passed since the insecticide application, detected far lower levels of residues. Levels of emamectin benzoate appearing in flowers was lower than that appearing in foliage and was detected only in 8 of 22 samples at the levels of quantification allowed in this analysis (0.28ppb). Among the 60 samples of pollen collected from trees that had been treated with emamectin benzoate, emamectin fragment ions were not detected at the Limit of Detection (LOD) attained with this analysis (0.1ppb). Together, these studies help answer several questions regarding potential non-target effects resulting from certain insecticide uses involved in management of emerald ash borer. These can be used to help in risk assessments and in ways to mitigate potential non-target effects

The Pollution of Water by Trace Elements Research Trends

Water pollution has been a growing issue for the last decades. This is mainly because of the boost in human population, and the motivations that lead to technological advances for the welfare of the society. Water pollution originates from different sources such as agricultural, municipal, industrial, and landfills drainage waters. These pollutants, which are either organic, nutrient, or heavy metals pollutants, are very deleterious to the natural ecosystems and eventually harmful to humans. Different procedures have been proposed for handling heavy metals water pollution, which encompass electro-osmosis, ion exchange, electro-kinetic, sludge activation, as well as phytoextraction. Water contaminants are also removed using flotation, membrane filtration, aeration, precipitation, coagulation—flocculation, ion exchange, and electrochemical treatment. These procedures are costly and have prompted the use of other techniques, such as phytoremediation. Phytoremediation involves the utilization of plant species to alleviate the impacts of environmental pollution. It could be implemented to eliminate pollutants from various natural ecosystems including water, soil, and air or to develop new vegetation growth on disturbed or barren ground. Different plant species have been used for phytoremediation. This chapter addresses trace elements pollution of natural water resources in details and the abilities of Aquatic plant communities such as Reed plants (Phragmites australis) to absorb soluble trace elements from water

First record of Trichophrya intermedia Prost, 1952 (Ciliophora, Suctoria) in Iraq from the Mugilid fish Planiliza abu

     خلال المدة من شهر نيسان 2016 ولغاية نهاية شهر تموز 2016 فحصت 39سمكة خشني Planiliza abu من شبكة مبازل محافظة بابل، تم فحص الأسماك بحثا عن الطفيليات في مختبر كلية الطب البيطري في جامعة القاسم الخضراء. تم تسجيل نوع من الجنس Trichophrya لأول مرة في العراق وهو T. intermedia من جلد وغلاصم سمكة الخشني P. abu. أعطيت مواصفات وقياسات الطفيلي. بهذا التسجيل الحالي، وصل الآن عدد أنواع الجنس Trichophrya في أسماك العراق إلى ثلاثة أنواع.During the period from April 2016 till the end of July 2016, a total of 39 fish specimens belonging to Planiliza abu from the Babil drainage network Babylon province, were examined for parasites at a laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Qasim Green University. Trichophrya intermedia Prost, 1952 was recorded for the first time in Iraq from the skin and gills of P. abu. The description and measurements of this parasite were given. With the present record, the number of Trichophrya species reached now three species in fishes of Iraq

The First Record of Two Species of Protozoa: Vorticella globulariaMüller, 1773 and Vorticella costata(Sommer, 1951)fromPlaniliza abu in the Babylon Province, Iraq

خلال الفترة من شهر تشرين الثاني 2015 ولغاية نهاية شهر آذار 2016 فحصت 218 سمكة خشنيPlaniliza abuمن نهر الفرات وشبكة مبازل بابل في  مدينة الحلة محافظة بابل،في مختبر الكلية التقنية المسيب،  تم تسجيل نوعين من جنس Vorticella لأول مرة في العراق من جلد وغلاصم سمكة الخشني P. abuوهما:  Vorticella globulariaMüller, 1773 و Vorticella costata(Sommer, 1951) . أعطيت المواصفات وقياساتهما.During the period from November 2015 till the end of March 2016, a total of 218 fish specimens belonging to Planiliza abu   from Euphrates River at Al-Hilla city  and the Babil drainage networkBabylon province were inspected for parasites at Laboratory at the Al-Musaib Technical College. Two Vorticella were recorded for the first time in Iraq from skin and gills of P. abu. These were:Vorticella globulariaMüller, 1773 and  Vorticella costata(Sommer, 1951). The description and measurement of this parasite as well as their measurements  were give

An overview of diagnostic criteria for identification of cryptococcal meningitis with special emphasis on AIDS

Fungi are common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients but HIV predisposes patients to several viral and bacterial infections that can result in meningitis. Understanding the burden of cryptococcal disease is particularly important for public health officials to adequately plan and prioritize needed resources for disease prevention and control. Cryptococcal meningitis, a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus spp. is the second most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection in patients with  acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is important to define the burden of cryptococcal meningitis, as it relates to other important diseases, and to understand the need for public health attention to this infection. Frequently, HIV infection weakens the body's ability to fight disease. Infections which are rarely seen in those with normal immune systems are life-threatening to those with HIV. It is time to expand this global focus on HIV to include one of its most serious consequences, cryptococcosis. Few, if any, complications of advanced HIV disease have a greater influence on morbidity and mortality. We are likely to see little real progress in the outcome for these patients until there is a global commitment to invest in more drug availability, better access to easily used diagnostics and therapeutic devices, and more innovative clinical researches.Key words: Cryptococcal meningitis, immune system, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), serotrypes

Prevalence and Levels of Depression Among Parents of Children with Cancer in Basrah, Iraq

Objectives: Cancer in a family member can be a major source of psychological disorders, especially for the parents of children diagnosed with cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and levels of depression among parents of children with cancer in Basrah, Iraq. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2014 and April 2015 at the Specialist Paediatric Hospital in Basrah City, Iraq. One parent each of 384 children with cancer admitted to the hospital for treatment or follow-up during the study period were invited to participate in the study. Age, gender, years of education, occupation, monthly income, place of residence and the overall number of children in a family were recorded. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to identify depression and assess levels of depression. Results: A total of 336 parents participated in the study (response rate: 87.5%). Of these, 70.5% were depressed, 54.1% of which had major depression. Depression was significantly more common (77.2% versus 57.1%) and more severe (60.7% versus 41.1%) among mothers compared to fathers (P = 0.001). Parents with fewer years of education were more likely to be depressed; this association was significant for mothers but not fathers (P = 0.001 and 0.814, respectively). Depression was significantly inversely associated with monthly income (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among the parents of children with cancer was high. Depression was significantly more severe among mothers compared to fathers and among mothers who were less educated. Income also had a significant association with levels of depression among parents

Effect of Flavonoid Extracts of Three Famous Plants on Two Virulence Genes rmpA and iucA of Klebsiella pneumonia Isolated as Co-infection from COVID-19 Patients

In the current study, three plants were identified, Zingiber officinale, Vitis vinifera and Phoenix dactylifera, to extract and isolate flavonoids from them by alcohol extraction from the leaves of these plants, then confirm the extraction of flavonoids alone from the alcoholic extract using Ethyl acetate by Fluid-Fluid Extraction method and expose the isolated Klebsiella pneumonia samples. From the respiratory tracts of 25 patients infected with Coronavirus 2019 in Salah al-Din General Hospital in the city of Tikrit - Iraq to find out the extent of the possible genetic influence on the level of DNA, specifically the rmpA, iucA genes, which have a co-influence in increasing the severity of the infection on the patient