Comparison of the moss Pleurozium schreberi with needles and bark of Pinus sylvestris as biomonitors of pollution by industry in Stalowa Wola (southeast Poland)

Concentrations of heavy metals were determined in the terrestrial bryophyte Pleurozium schreberi and in samples of bark and current and previous year needles of Pinus sylvestris collected along transects around the Stalowa Wola industry center (southeast Poland) and compared with material of the same species from a control site. The suitability of bark and pine needles for use in monitoring of serious heavy metal pollution was investigated. In the examined area current and previous year pine needles can be considered suitable biomonitors for atmospheric pollution for Cu and Zn and bark for only Cu. Bioaccumulation abilities of Cd and Cu in P. schreberi and P. sylvestris current and previous year needles were similar. Current and previous year needles were better accumulators of Mn, Ni, and Zn compared to the moss P. schreberi. Bark was a better accumulator of Cd, Cu, and Ni and an inferior accumulator of Mn compared to P. schreberi in the examined area.     

Oxidation of atmospheric molecular tritium in plant leaves, lichens and mosses

The oxidation of atmospheric molecular tritium (HT) in vegetation was determined by in vitro experiments for pine needles, pine bark, lichens attached to pine trees, taken from a coastal pine forest in Ibaraki prefecture and comparison of such measurements was made with those in soil. The oxidation of HT in pine needles was extremely low, being only about 1/40000 that in the surface soil of a pine forest, whereas its oxidation in pine bark with a lichen was almost 1000-7000 times higher than that in pine needles. HT oxidation in pine bark, a lichen and a moss was determined in each case under light and dark conditions and was found to be essentially the same. All mosses and lichens examined in the present study were found to have unusually high levels of HT oxidation whether their habitat was tree or ground surface.     

Velamo do campo: its volatile constituents, secretory elements, and biological activity

The volatile components from Croton campestris root bark were localized by an anatomical study and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the first time. The roots of this plant showed secretory cells. These volatile constituents, isolated from the dichloromethane extract by hydrodistillation, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found 69 components. They were characterized, and the major constituents of crude oil root barks were spathulenol (23.3%) and borneol (18.7%). Growth inhibitory activity of the active compounds in solution was evaluated by measuring minimal inhibitory concentrations using a broth micromethod. The minimal inhibitory concentration of root bark volatile constituents was 1.56 μg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, 3.125 μg/mL for Candida albicans, and 6.25 μg/mL for Aspergillusniger.     

Medicinal herbs: a potential source of toxic metal exposure for man and animals in India

To explore the possibility of translocation of heavy metals into humans and animals, the authors studied 28 commonly used medicinal plants and estimated their heavy metal content. The plant materials were collected from the same sources used by traditional healers and commercial drug manufacturers. The plants were identified, authenticated, and processed for the analysis of toxic metals. Lead and cadmium levels were estimated in leaf, stem bark, root, or seeds, depending on the medicinal value of the plant portion. The authors used an atomic absorption spectrophotometer to determine levels of metals. The mean lead concentration in medical herbs ranged between 2.624 ppm (standard deviation = 0.426) and 32.757 (standard deviation = 0.124 ppm), and the cadmium concentration ranged between 0.056 ppm (standard deviation = 0.002) and 0.419 ppm (standard deviation = 0.006). Interestingly, the heavy metal concentrations (i.e., lead and cadmium) were higher in leaf than in stem bark or roots, and the lowest values were recorded in seeds. No published reports on the permissible level of toxic metals in commonly used medicinal plants of India have come to the authors' attention; therefore, it was difficult for the authors to determine the role of toxic metals in drug-induced health hazards. However, the presence of toxic metals in different plants led to the conclusion that prolonged consumption of such medicinal plants may be detrimental to health.     

Medicinal Herbs: A Potential Source of Toxic Metal Exposure for Man and Animals in India

To explore the possibility of translocation of heavy metals into humans and animals, the authors studied 28 commonly used medicinal plants and estimated their heavy metal content. The plant materials were collected from the same sources used by traditional healers and commercial drug manufacturers. The plants were identified, authenticated, and processed for the analysis of toxic metals. Lead and cadmium levels were estimated in leaf, stem bark, root, or seeds, depending on the medicinal value of the plant portion. The authors used an atomic absorption spectrophotometer to determine levels of metals. The mean lead concentration in medical herbs ranged between 2.624 ppm (standard deviation = 0.426) and 32.757 (standard deviation = 0.124 ppm), and the cadmium concentration ranged between 0.056 ppm (standard deviation = 0.002) and 0.419 ppm (standard deviation = 0.006). Interestingly, the heavy metal concentrations (i.e., lead and cadmium) were higher in leaf than in stem bark or roots, and the lowest values were recorded in seeds. No published reports on the permissible level of toxic metals in commonly used medicinal plants of India have come to the authors' attention; therefore, it was difficult for the authors to determine the role of toxic metals in drug-induced health hazards. However, the presence of toxic metals in different plants led to the conclusion that prolonged consumption of such medicinal plants may be detrimental to health.     

Heavy metal pollution among autoworkers. II. Cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, and nickel.

Garages and auto-repair workshops may be polluted with other heavy metals besides lead. Blood of autoworkers with high lead content was analysed for cadmium, chromium, copper manganese, nickel, ALAD activity and carboxyhaemoglobin level. Cadmium and copper levels in blood of autoworkers were comparable with those of the control subjects while chroimium and nickel levels were significantly higher (P less than 0-01 for both metals), and scattered raised values of manganese were found. There was no significant mutual correlation between levels of various heavy metals determined in whole blood. High copper levels were slightly related to decreasing ALAD activity (P less than 0-1). Nineteen per cent of autoworkers were found to have an abnormally blood level of carboxyhaemoglobin. The amount of particulate heavy metal in autoworkshop air was not related to biochemical abnormalities found in the autoworkers. Various sources of pollution of these heavy metals in autoworkshops are discussed.     

Heavy metal pollution among autoworkers. II. Cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, and nickel.

Garages and auto-repair workshops may be polluted with other heavy metals besides lead. Blood of autoworkers with high lead content was analysed for cadmium, chromium, copper manganese, nickel, ALAD activity and carboxyhaemoglobin level. Cadmium and copper levels in blood of autoworkers were comparable with those of the control subjects while chroimium and nickel levels were significantly higher (P less than 0-01 for both metals), and scattered raised values of manganese were found. There was no significant mutual correlation between levels of various heavy metals determined in whole blood. High copper levels were slightly related to decreasing ALAD activity (P less than 0-1). Nineteen per cent of autoworkers were found to have an abnormally blood level of carboxyhaemoglobin. The amount of particulate heavy metal in autoworkshop air was not related to biochemical abnormalities found in the autoworkers. Various sources of pollution of these heavy metals in autoworkshops are discussed.     

南方红豆杉无机元素的测定分析

用原子吸收分光光度计测定了南方红豆杉嫩枝、针叶、树皮中 K、Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn、Mn、Fe、Na、Cr9种无机元素的含量 ,发现其 Zn、Mn含量较高。且树皮中富含 K、Fe、Na,Zn/ Cu比值较低。     

Phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of some food and medicinal plants

To identify promising sources of antioxidants, some food and medicinal plants were studied for total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. The leaves, bark and fruits of Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia muelleri, the leaves and fruits of Phyllanthus emblica, and the seeds of Syzygium cumini were found to have high total phenolic contents (72.0-167.2 mg/g) and high antioxidant activity (69.6-90.6%). Leaves of Eucalyptusglobulus were a rich source of rutin, Moringa oleifera for kaempferol, aerial parts of Centella asiatica for quercetin, fruits of T. bellerica and T. chebula for gallic acid, and bark of T. arjuna, leaves and fruits of T. bellerica and bark, leaves and fruits of T. muelleri for ellagic acid.     

A technique for the bioassay of insecticide deposits on leaf and bark samples in relation to tsetse control operations

During tsetse control operations it may be necessary to determine the effective toxicity and persistence of insecticide residues on vegetation. A simple method for preparing samples of twig bark for bioassay and an exposure apparatus that has been found very satisfactory for exposing tsetse flies to residues on leaves and bark are described. The apparatus is easily manipulated and involves little handling of the test material.     

Religiosity, heavy alcohol use, and vicarious learning networks among adolescents in the United States

Previous research has found that religiosity may protect against risky alcohol and drug use behaviors among adolescents, but the social mechanics underpinning the relationship are not well understood. This study examined the relationship between religiosity, heavy drinking, and social norms among U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, using the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 14,556). Based on a vicarious learning networks theoretical perspective, the effect of religiosity on heavy drinking behavior was hypothesized to be exerted indirectly through the norms of key reference groups in the social network (close friends and parents). Support was found for reference group norms as one underlying mechanism of the religiosity-alcohol relationship. Religiosity and nonpermissive drinking norms of parents, close friends, and peers maintained a strong protective association with adolescent heavy drinking. Supplementary analyses elaborated on the role of competing and complementary normative orientations among reference groups in the social network.     

Alcohol use in pregnancy, craniofacial features, and fetal growth.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to study the relationship between the level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and craniofacial characteristics of the neonate. DESIGN--This was a prospective survey of a sample of pregnant women, stratified on prepregnancy level of alcohol consumption. SETTING--The study was carried out at the public antenatal clinic of Roubaix maternity hospital. PARTICIPANTS--During an eight month period, 684 women (89% of those eligible) were interviewed in a standardised way at their first antenatal clinic visit. Of these, all who were suspected of being alcoholic or heavy drinkers (at least 21 drinks per week) were selected for follow up, as was a subsample of light (0-6 drinks per week) and moderate (7-20 drinks per week) drinkers. Of 347 women selected in this way, 202 had their infants assessed by a standardised morphological examination. MEASUREMENTS AND AND MAIN RESULTS--Suggestive craniofacial characteristics of the infants, present either in isolation or in association with growth retardation ("fetal alcohol effects"), were compared in relation to maternal alcohol consumption (alcoholic 12%; heavy drinking 24%; moderate drinking 28%; light drinking 36%). No differences were found between light and moderate drinkers. Infants born to alcoholics had a greater number of craniofacial characteristics and the proportion with features compatible with fetal alcohol effects was higher. There was a similar trend for infants of heavy drinkers. Infants of heavy drinkers who had decreased their alcohol consumption during pregnancy had fewer craniofacial features. Infants of heavy smokers were also found to have increased numbers of craniofacial characteristics. CONCLUSIONS--Craniofacial morphology could be a sensitive indicator of alcohol exposure in utero. Altered morphology is usually considered specific for alcohol exposure, but the relation observed with smoking needs further exploration.     

Phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of some food and medicinal plants

To identify promising sources of antioxidants, some food and medicinal plants were studied for total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. The leaves, bark and fruits of Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia muelleri, the leaves and fruits of Phyllanthus emblica, and the seeds of Syzygium cumini were found to have high total phenolic contents (72.0–167.2 mg/g) and high antioxidant activity (69.6–90.6%). Leaves of Eucalyptusglobulus were a rich source of rutin, Moringa oleifera for kaempferol, aerial parts of Centella asiatica for quercetin, fruits of T. bellerica and T. chebula for gallic acid, and bark of T. arjuna, leaves and fruits of T. bellerica and bark, leaves and fruits of T. muelleri for ellagic acid.     

The influence of soil heavy metals pollution on soil microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and community composition near a copper smelter

The environmental risk of heavy metal pollution is pronounced in soils adjacent to large industrial complexes. It is important to investigate the functioning of soil microorganisms in ecosystems exposed to long-term contamination by heavy metals. We studied the potential effects of heavy metals on microbial biomass, activity, and community composition in soil near a copper smelter in China. The results showed that microbial biomass C was negatively affected by the elevated metal levels and was closely correlated with heavy metal stress. Enzyme activity was greatly depressed by conditions in the heavy metal-contaminated sites. Good correlation was observed between enzyme activity and the distance from the smelter. Elevated metal loadings resulted in changes in the activity of the soil microbe, as indicated by changes in their metabolic profiles from correlation analysis. Significant decrease of soil phosphatase activities was found in the soils 200 m away from the smelter. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis demonstrated that heavy metals pollution had a significant impact on bacterial and actinomycetic community structure. There were negative correlations between soil microbial biomass, phosphatase activity, and NH(4)NO(3) extractable heavy metals. The soil microorganism activity and community composition could be predicted significantly using the availability of Cu and Zn. By combining different monitoring approaches from different viewpoints, the set of methods applied in this study were sensitive to site differences and contributed to a better understanding of heavy metals effects on the structure, size and activity of microbial communities in soils. The data presented demonstrate the role of heavy metals pollution in understanding the heavy metal toxicity to soil microorganism near a copper smelter in China.     

Psychological distress, gender, and health lifestyles in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine

This paper examines the relationship between psychological distress, gender, and health lifestyles in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. These countries have been subjected to highly stressful and extensive social change associated with the transition out of communism. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews (n = 10,406) in November 2001. Distress was measured by 12 psychological distress symptoms. Health lifestyles focused on measures of alcohol consumption, smoking and diet. We found that females carried a much heavier burden of psychological distress than males, but this distress did not translate into greater alcohol consumption and smoking for these women or for men. The greatest influence of distress on health lifestyle practices was on daily diets in that both less distressed females and males consumed a more balanced diet than more distressed persons. Our findings suggest that it is the normative demands of a particular lifestyle, rather than distress, that principally shapes the pattern of heavy male drinking. This is an important finding as some sources indicate heavy drinking is largely responsible for the health crisis in the former socialist states.     

Radial and axial gradients of lead concentration in bark and xylem of hardwoods

The bark and wood tissues ofRobinia pseudoacacia L.,Tilia cordata Mill., andAcer platanoides L., grown in different localities of Munich with varying traffic intensity, were quantitatively analyzed for lead content in both radial and axial directions. In comparison to the non-heartwood-forming genera (Tilia, Acer) the heartwood-formingRobinia showed distinct differences in radial distribution of lead: the sapwood ofRobinia had higher lead contamination than the heartwood. The innermost heartwood zone of this species had a higher lead content than did the younger heartwood tissue. InTilia andAcer, the wood zones of different ages did not exhibit significant differences in their lead concentrations. The bark surface showed a high lead concentration which could be washed off to a large extent with water. The lead concentration in the trunk ofRobinia was found to increase in basipetal direction. The lead content in bark and sapwood of this species was proportional to the traffic intensity in the neighborhood. The results are discussed in relation to the possible translocation of lead within the trees.     

Heavy metal accumulation in Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merluccius and Boops boops fish from the Aegean Sea, Turkey

The accumulation behaviour of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead concentrations in flesh, gills, liver and gonads of three commercial fish Mullus barbatus, Merluccius merliccius and Boops boops from the Aegean Sea in Turkey have been studied. Copper, zinc and lead concentrations in flesh were found low, while in gonads Cd was found high. Liver showed higher concentration of Cu than other fish organs. Gonads and liver recorded high concentrations of Cd. Liver and gills revealed high levels of Pb as compared to other fish organs. The organs of Boops boops revealed high accumulation of heavy metals as compared to other fishes. Heavy metals in the southern Aegean Sea were found to be higher around Cesme and Fethiye than the northern part. Concentration of heavy metals in the tested organs were within the allowable limit of world levels.     

Ethnobotanical survey, chemical composition, and antioxidant capacity of methanolic extract of the root bark of Annona cuneata Oliv

The root bark of Annona cuneata Oliv. is traditionally used in the Democratic Republic of Congo to treat several debilitating conditions, such as hernia, female sterility, sexual asthenia, and parasitic infections. However, little is known about the composition of the secondary plant substances, which may contribute to these traditional medicinal effects. We conducted an ethnobotanical study and then evaluated the composition of the secondary plant substances in extracts of the root bark by using spectroscopic methods. After delipidation, the root bark was lixiviated in methanol, and components in the extract were studied by gas chromatography-mass spectometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization-MS and nano-electrospray ionization-MS-MS. These methods identified 13 secondary plant substances (almost exclusively phenolic compounds): p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (I), vanillin (II), tyrosol (III), 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (IV), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (V), vanillyl alcohol (VI), syringaldehyde (VII), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanol (VIII), vanillic acid (IX), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (X), syringic acid (XI), and ferulic acid (XII), along with the phytosterol squalene (XIII). In the HPLC-based hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase antioxidant assay system, the methanolic extract exhibited potent antioxidant capacity, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 72 μL, equivalent to 1.38 mg/mL of raw extract. Thus, a methanol extract of A. cuneata Oliv. contained a range of polyphenolic compounds, which may be partly responsible for its known traditional medicinal effects. More detailed studies on the phytochemistry of this important plant species are therefore warranted.     

Cancer chemotherapy, biodiversity, public and private property: the case of the anti-cancer drug taxol.

The drug taxol has been hailed by many in the cancer community as a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer. It has already been approved in use against ovarian and advanced breast cancer in many countries worldwide. Taxol has also promoted profound debates in the policy arena not, as one might expect, because of the characteristics or purposes of the drug itself, but because of other far-reaching effects. Taxol is a complex compound found in the bark of the Pacific yew tree, primarily in Oregon and Washington in the USA. The bark was first collected in 1962 and cytotoxicity demonstrated in 1964. Yet it was not until 1989 that the first results of clinical trials were reported. In the US taxol was then rushed through the Food and Drug Administration's regulatory procedures, approval being granted for use in refractory ovarian cancer in 1992. The controversies surrounding taxol surfaced in 1989 and grew substantially over the next few years. In this paper we examine two principal controversies concerning taxol, the first of which focused on apparent conflicts between the needs of environmental protection and those of cancer chemotherapy. Although the media portrayed this as a clash of interests between the environment and people with cancer, we argue that it was an attempt to increase lay participation in biomedical decision making and policy formulation. The second controversy was between health policy and the transfer of public scientific property to the corporate sector. The pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb was given exclusive rights to provide taxol from Pacific yew trees under a Co-operative Research and Development Agreement signed in 1991. While this was seen to be in the US Government's (as well as the company's) interest, it provoked a public reaction questioning the terms and consequences of the transfer of publicly generated scientific knowledge to the private sector.