Ameliorative effects of corn silk extract on acetaminophen-induced renal toxicity in rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The current study aimed to investigate the protective effect of corn silk methanolic extract (CSME) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced...     

Prophylactic effects of Cynara scolymus L. leaf and flower hydroethanolic extracts against diethylnitrosamine/acetylaminoflourene-induced lung cancer in Wistar rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The study examines the prophylactic action of artichoke leaf hydroethanolic extract (ALE) and artichoke flower head hydroethanolic extract (AFE)...     

The effects of research and development and financial development on CO2 emissions: evidence from selected WAME economies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Earth is in the Anthropocene era and humankind deteriorates the global environment; thus, there is a dire need for sustainable policies at all levels....     

Adsorptive Removal of Malachite Green Chloride and Reactive Red-198 from Aqueous Solutions by Using Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes-Graft-Poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid)

The multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) via grafting reaction and γ-rays of ⁶⁰Co source was used as initiator. The outcome product was called hydroxyethylated (HOEt-MWCNTs) graft poly(AMPS) and abbreviated as HOEt-MWCNTs-g-PAMPS. The parameters that affected the grafting yield were optimized. The maximum grafting obtained was ~20 %. HOEt-MWCNTs-g-PAMPS were characterized by Fourier transform infra red, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis. The adsorptive removals of malachite green chloride (MGC) and reactive red 198 (RR-198) onto HOEt-MWCNTs-g-PAMPS were studied at variable conditions. The adsorption isotherms were analyzed using Langmuir, Redlich–Peterson, Freundlich, Khan and Sips models. The results referred that Sips model is the best fitting to adsorption of MGC and Freundlich model is the best fitting to RR-198 adsorption. The monolayer coverage capacities of HOEt-MWCNTs-g-PAMPS for MGC and RR-198 dyes were found 172 and 323 mg g^?1, respectively. The rate of kinetic adsorption processes of MGC and RR-198 onto HOEt-MWCNTs-g-PAMPS were described by using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models were the best choice among the kinetic models to depict the adsorption behaviors of MGC and RR-198 dyes onto HOEt-MWCNTs-g-PAMPS, respectively. Further, the effect of temperature on the adsorption isotherms was investigated and the thermodynamic parameters were obtained. The results indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The values of ΔG° varied in range with the mean values showing a gradual increase from ?3.17 to ?3.64 kJ mol^?1 for MGC and ?3.36 to ?3.73 kJ mol^?1 for RR-198. The reusability and regeneration of adsorbent were investigated. The outcome data referred to that the efficiency of adsorbent >98 %. The outline results declared that there is a good potentiality for the HOEt-MWCNTs-g-PAMPS to be used as an adsorbent for the removal of MGC and RR-198 from aqueous solutions.     

Pb in medicinal plants from Jordan

This is the first report on Pb in medicinal herbs from Jordan. Medicinal herbs may present a health risk due to the presence of toxic metals. Seventy-nine dry medicinal plant samples were collected from herbalist shops in Jordan. The plants were digested with acids and analyzed for total Pb concentration using atomic absorption spectrometry. Mean Pb concentration was 15.9 μg/g on a dry weight basis. Our results show that Pb concentrations in Jordan medicinal plants are higher than published data in other countries. The highest level of 33.4 μg Pb/g was determined in Inula viscosa, and the lowest level of 3.0 μg Pb/g was found in Nigella sativa. Calculated daily intakes of Pb of most analyzed herbs were high; most of them are higher than recommended values by the world health organization (WHO). Fortunately, the herbs that contain the highest Pb levels are the less commonly used medicinal herbs in Jordan. The mean Pb levels in the most commonly, commonly and less commonly used herbs in Jordan are 13.9, 13.1 and 16.9 μg Pb/g, respectively. The average dietary intake of Pb through a mixture of these medicinal herbs consumption, assuming 5.0 g herbs is consumed daily, is 79.5 μg Pb/day, which is higher than the maximum daily limit allowed by WHO. We conclude that most of the medicinal plants consumed in Jordan contain significant amount of Pb, and therefore, people of Jordan should not consume large amounts of these herbs.     

Effects of sewage sludge amendments on pesticide sorption and leaching through undisturbed Mediterranean soils

The Gharb region in Morocco is an important agricultural zone where soils receive pesticide treatments and organic amendments to increase yields. The groundwater aquifer in the Gharb region is relatively shallow and thus vulnerable. The objective of this work was to study the influence of organic amendments on diuron, cyhalofop-butyl and procymidone leaching through undisturbed soil columns. Two soils were sampled from the Gharb region, a Dehs (sandy soil) and a R'mel (loamy clay soil). Following elution (124.5 mm), the amount of pesticide residues in the leachates of the sandy soil (0.06-0.21 %) was lower than in those of the loamy clay soil (0.20-0.36 %), which was probably due to preferential flow through the loamy clay soil. The amount of procymidone leached through the amended soil columns was greater than the control for the sandy soil only. The organic amendments did not significantly influence diuron and cyhalofop-butyl leaching in either of the soils. The application of organic amendments affected the amounts of dissolved organic matter (DOM) eluted and thus pesticide leaching as a function of soil-type. Nevertheless, in some case, the formation of pesticide-DOM complexes appeared to promote pesticide leaching, thus increasing groundwater contamination risks.     

Insight into the Adsorption Properties of Chitosan/Zeolite-A Hybrid Structure for Effective Decontamination of Toxic Cd (II) and As (V) Ions from the Aqueous Environments

Chitosan/zeolite-A hybrid structure (CS/Z.A) was synthesized and characterized as a multifunctional and environmental adsorbent for the Cd (II) and As (V) ions. The adsorption capacities of CS/ZA for Cd (II) and AS (V) are 170 mg/g and 125 mg/g, respectively which are higher values than several adsorbents in literature. The kinetic study demonstrates Pseudo-First-order behavior for the Cd (II) adsorption process and Pseudo-second order for the As (V) uptake reactions. The Cd (II) and As (V) uptake reactions follow the Freundlich equilibrium behavior with heterogeneous and multilayer adsorption properties. The kinetic and equilibrium studies in addition to the Gaussian energy {6.35 kJ/mol [Cd (II)] and 9.44 kJ/mol [As (V)]} demonstrate physical properties for the Cd (II) adsorption mechanism and more chemical behavior for the As (V) adsorption mechanism. The thermodynamic study declares exothermic, spontaneous, and favorable adsorption reactions for Cd (II) and As (V) by CS/Z.A composite. The CS/Z.A is of significant capacity for Cd (II) and As (V) ions in the existence of other competitive dissolved anions (PO₄^3?, NO₃^?, and SO₄^2?) and other metals [Zn (II), Co (II), and Pb (II)]. Finally, the CS/Z.A composite is a recyclable product and can be applied in effective Cd (II) and As (V) decontamination processes for five runs.

     

A system model for green manufacturing

Manufacturing systems evolution is afunction in multiple external and internal factors. With today’s global awareness of environmental risks as well as the pressing needs to compete through efficiency, manufacturing systems are evolving into a new paradigm. This paper presents a system model for the new green manufacturing paradigm. The model captures various planning activities to migrate from a less green into a greener and more eco-efficient manufacturing. The various planning stages are accompanied by the required control metrics as well as various green tools in an open mixed architecture. The system model is demonstrated by an industrial case study. The proposed model is a comprehensive qualitative answer to the question of how to design and/or improve green manufacturing systems as well as a roadmap for future quantitative research to better evaluate this new paradigm.     

Ameliorating effect of N-acetylcysteine and curcumin on pesticide-induced oxidative DNA damage in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Endosulfan, malathion, and phosphamidon are widely used pesticides. Subchronic exposure to these contaminants commonly affects the central nervous system, immune, gastrointestinal, renal, and reproductive system. There effects have been attributed to increased oxidative stress. This study was conducted to examine the role of oxidative stress in genotoxicity following pesticide exposure using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro. Further possible attenuation of genotoxicity was studied using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and curcumin as known modulators of oxidative stress. Cultured mononuclear cells was isolated from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers, and exposed to varying concentrations of different pesticides: endosulfan, malathion, and phosphamidon for 6, 12, and 24 h. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by cellular malondialdehyde (MDA) level and DNA damage was quantified by measuring 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) using ELISA. Both MDA and 8-OH-dG were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with these pesticides. There was a significant decrease in MDA and 8-OH-dG levels in PBMC when co-treated with NAC or/and curcumin as compared to pesticide alone. These results indicate that pesticide-induced oxidative stress is probably responsible for the DNA damage, and NAC or curcumin attenuate this effect by counteracting the oxidative stress.