Impact of cadmium and lead on Catharanthus roseus--a phytoremediation study

The Madagascar Periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (a valued medicinal plant) was exposed to different concentrations ofheavymetals like, CdCl, and PbCl, with a view to observe their bioaccumulation efficiency. Germination was inhibited by both the heavy metals in the seeds previously imbibed in GA, and KNO, for 24 hr. EC50 (the effective concentration which inhibits root length by 50%) was recorded as 180 microM for CdCl2, and 50 microM for PbCl2. Both alpha-amylase and protease activity were reduced substantially on treatment of seeds with increasing concentrations of CdCl2, and PbCl2. Malondialdehyde (MDA) a product of lipoxigenase (LOX) activity also increased due to the treatment of both CdCl, and PbCl2. When two-months-old plants grown in normal soil were transferred to soils containing increasing amounts of these two heavy metals, senescence of lower leaves and extensive chlorosis were noticed after four days of transfer However, plants gradually acclimatized and after 20 days the chlorophyll content was almost comparable to normal. Plants receiving CdCl2 treatment (250 microg g(-1) and less) became acclimatized after two weeks and started normal growth. But PbCl2 of 432 microg g(-1) and less could not affect the plant growth throughout, after a preliminary shock was erased. In case of CdCl2 treatment, a stunted growth with reduced leaf area, reduced biomass and sterility were recorded after six months, while plants show normal growth and flowering in case of PbCl2 treatment. Total alkaloid was also found to be decreased in the roots of CdCl2 treated plants. No change was observed in case of PbCl2. GA3 treatments to the CdCl2 treated plants show internode elongation and increase in leaf area with relatively elongated leaves and thinning of stem diameter AAS analyses of leaves of treated plants exhibited 5-10% accumulation of cadmium, but there was no accumulation of lead at all.     

Modelling fertility: an application of count regression models

Often the lifecycle data occur as count of the vital events and are recorded as integers. The purpose of this article is to model the fertility behavior based on religious, educational, economic, and occupational characteristics. The responses of classified groups according to these determinants are examined for significant influence on fertility using Poisson regression model (PRM) based on the National Family Health Survey -3 dataset. The observed and predicted probabilities under PRM indicate modal value of two children for the Poisson distribution modeled data. Presence of dominance of two child in the data motivates the authors to adopt multinomial regression model (MRM) in order to link fertility with various socioeconomic indicators responsible for fertility variation. Choice of the explanatory factors is limited to the availability of data. Trends and patterns of preference for birth counts suggest that religion, caste, wealth, female education, and occupation are the dominant factors shaping the observed birth process. Empirical analysis suggests that both the models used in the study perform similarly on the sample data. However, fitting of MRM by taking birth count of two as comparison category shows improved Akaike information criterion and consistent Akaike information criterion values. Current work contributes to the existing literature as it attempts to provide more insight into the determinants of Indian fertility using Poisson and MRM.     

Study of ultrasonic assisted cryogenically cooled EDM process using sintered (Cu–TiC) tooltip

In most EDM operations, the maximum contribution in the total operation cost is the tool cost. Electrode wear is a major problem in EDM process. Therefore, in this paper, the process performance of sintered copper (Cu)–titanium carbide (TiC) electrode tip in ultrasonic assisted cryogenically cooled electrical discharge machining (UACEDM) has been studied. The performance parameters studied in this paper are electrode wear ratio (EWR), material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (SR), out of roundness and surface integrity. The process parameters considered in this study are discharge current, pulse on time, duty cycle and gap voltage. Cermet was fabricated, having copper content of 75% and titanium carbide content of 25%, by mixing, pressing, and sintering. The performance of the newly formed cermet electrode tip is compared with conventional copper electrode tip for UACEDM process and analyzed. It has been observed that EWR and out of roundness decreases when cermet electrode tip is used as compared to conventional tooltip. It has also been observed that MRR and SR increase when cermet tooltip is used. The surface cracks density and crack width on workpiece machined by cermet tooltip have been found to be lesser as compared to the specimen machined by conventional tooltip.     

Indicator-Based Approach for Assessing the Vulnerability of Freshwater Resources in the Bagmati River Basin,Nepal

To assess the vulnerability of water resources in the Bagmati River Basin in Nepal, this paper adopts an indicator-based approach wherein vulnerability is expressed as a function of water stress and adaptive capacity. Water stress encompasses indicators of water resources variation, scarcity, and exploitation and water pollution, whereas adaptive capacity covers indicators of natural, physical, human resource, and economic capacities. Based on the evaluation of eleven indicators, which were aggregated into eight vulnerability parameters, an increasingly stressful situation and lack of adaptive capacity became evident. Considerable spatial variation in indicator values suggests differential policy options. While the northern parts need attention to reduce pollution loading and conserve vegetation cover, the southern parts need improvements in physical capacity, i.e. water infrastructures. The comprehensive and easily interpretable findings of the study are expected to help decision makers reach sound solutions to reduce freshwater resources vulnerability in the Bagmati River Basin, Nepal. With its inherent flexibility, the approach has demonstrated its potential for application in different times and areas for monitoring and comparison purposes.     

Effect of nickel-stresses on uptake, pigments and antioxidative responses of water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L

Water lettuce plants were exposed to various concentrations (0, 0.01,0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 ppm) of nickel as nickel sulphate in nutrient medium. The effect of graded nickel (Ni +2) concentrations on visible symptoms of toxicity, pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total) and antioxidative attributes were evaluated. Plants exposed to high nickel (1.0 and 10.0 ppm) showed visible toxicity symptoms, such as wilting, chlorosis in young leaves, browning of root tips and broken off roots, observed at 6 days after treatment. Nickel was accumulated more in root (863.3 microg g-1 dry weight) than leaves (116.2 microg g-1 dry weight) at 6 days of treatment. Nickel exposure decreased chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll contents. Relative water content decreased at high nickel (1.0 and 10.0 ppm).Antioxidants, such as proline content and peroxidase activity increased with increase in nickel concentrations, whereas, other carotenoids and protein contents at 1.0 ppm and activity of catalase at 10 ppm of nickel were decreased. The low level of nickel stimulates photosynthetic pigments and antioxidative attributes. The study may be helpful in phytoremedial strategies and biological indication of nickel toxicity in aquatic plants.     

Characterization of two metal resistant Bacillus strains isolated from slag disposal site at Burnpur, India

Two strains of Bacillus sp. resistant to arsenate and lead designated as AsSP9 and PbSP6, respectively were isolated from the slag disposal site. They were identified to be related to Bacillus cereus cluster on the basis of 16S rDNA based sequence analysis and phenotypic characteristics. Both were rod-shaped (AsSP9, 2-5 microm and PbSP6, 2-4 microm), aerobic, salt tolerant (2-8% NaCI), endospore forming bacteria with minor differences like the AsSP9 showed sporangial bulging and PbSP6 had positive lipase activity. The temperature range for their growth was 20-40 degrees C and pH range 6.0-9.0 with an optimum temperature of 37 degrees C and pH of 7 for both strains. The principal nitrogen sources forAsSP9 and PbSP6 were DL-Tryptophan and L-Phenylalanine, respectively. The suitable carbon source forAsSP9 was lactose and for PbSP6 sucrose. The heavy metal accumulation efficiency was found to be 0.0047 mg g(-1) of dry mass forAsSP9 and 0.686 mg g(-1) of dry mass for PbSP6.     

Histopathological alterations in hepatopancreas of Gafrarium divaricatum exposed to xylene, benzene and gear oil-WSF

Gafrarium divaricatum were exposed to xylene (4.25 and 8.50 mg l(-1)), benzene (4.35 and 8.70 mg l(-1)) and gear oil-WSF (1 and 2%) for 30 days. Chronic exposure of clams to the pollutants resulted in loss of bubbling epithelium, reduction in cytoplasm volume and density, fusion of cell membranes and nuclei forming darkly stained area at basal part of the cells. Disintegration of basement membrane due to damaged epithelial cells, disruption of inner lining of tubule, formation of necrotic spaces, separation of epithelial cells from basement membrane, increase in internal luminar area, complete necrosis of epithelial cells as well as occurrence of cell debris in between the tissue were also observed in the clams due to chronic exposure of the toxicants.     

Discussion of “Mahmodinia,S., & Javan,M. (2021). Vortical structures,entrainment and mixing process in the lateral discharge of the gravity current. Environmental Fluid Mechanics, 21(5), 1035–1067”

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - The authors of the discussed paper presented an interesting study of the lateral gravity currents for the different flow conditions. The authors showed the...     

DNA fragmentation,apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by sodium arsenite in cultured murine Sertoli cells: prevention by curcumin

Arsenic is a significant environmental concern worldwide, primarily due to geo physiochemical contamination of drinking water, and a major public health hazard in both developing and developed countries. The present study was aimed to investigate ameliorative effects of curcumin (Cur) against sodium arsenite (SA)-induced toxicity in cultured murine Sertoli cells. The cells were treated with SA (5 μM) and Cur (5 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml) alone or in combination for 12 hr. The SA treatment decreased cell viability, produced oxidative stress, and induced apoptosis as reflected by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, DNA fragmentation, and apoptotic cells. Moreover, the SA-induced cell cycle arrest in the cells is characterized by a rise in the number of cells in the sub G1 phase of the cell cycle. The Cur was found to be effective in reversing all these arsenic (As)-induced cellular events. Data suggest that Cur modulates As-mediated oxidative stress, apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle arrest through suppression of excessive ROS generation. Evidence indicates that Cur may emerge as a useful protective agent against As-induced Sertoli cells toxicity by inhibiting As-induced damage in testes.     

Mercury exposure in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients from Ganga plain region in India: A retrospective study

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive disorder that usually runs a fatal course within 2–5 years of onset, is characterized by loss of motor neurons in the cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord. In this study mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in blood samples of 40 ALS patients, of whom 24 ALS patients were from the Ganga plain region and their metal levels were found to be significantly higher. In contrast, Hg levels in the 16 ALS patients from non-Ganga plain regions whose levels were similar to those of the control subjects. Mercury in stream water samples and freshly deposited stream sediment were determined in the locations of patients’ native residences along the Ganga plain region and metal levels were found to be higher than the threshold guideline values for Hg in stream waters recommended by WHO. The geo-accumulation index in selected sites of freshly deposited stream sediment ranged from moderate to highly polluted. The high levels of Hg observed in ALS patients may potentially alter the redox status of neuronal cell components and induce cell-death pathways.