Copper accumulation and toxicity in earthworms exposed to CuO nanomaterials: Effects of particle coating and soil ageing

AbstractBiomass of algae is a very potent adsorbent for absorbing aqueous waste containing heavy metals and organic dyes. This study purposes to confirm the ability of adsorbents from green algae Nannochloropsis sp. modified with silica (ASN) and followed by coating magnetite particles (ASN-MPs) to absorb simultaneously the mixture of Methylene Blue (ME) and Cu(II) cations in aqueous solution. Simultaneous sorption of ME and Cu(II) cations to ASN and ASN-MPs was carried out by the batch method with the interaction pH condition 7, contact time 90 min, and initial concentrations of ME and Cu(II) cations (0.1–1.0 mM). Based on adsorption data, Cu(II) cations have a greater adsorption rate and capacity (qm) compared to ME at the same contact time and initial concentration. The adsorption capacity (qm) values of the bi-component ME and Cu(II) cation mixture in ASN and ASN-MPs were 1.39 × 10− 1 and 5.32 × 10− 1 mmol g− 1, respectively, with the binary Langmuir adsorption isotherm constant for Cu(II) cations greater than ME. Modified adsorbent from algae Nannochloropsis sp. with silica matrix and magnetite particle coating is an adsorbent that has a high effectiveness in the collective sorption of ME and Cu(II) cations. Therefore, these adsorbents can be used for the adsorption of cation mixtures of heavy metals and organic dyes that are cationic in solution.

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Laminarin Induces Defense Responses and Efficiently Controls Olive Leaf Spot Disease in Olive

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26041043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 1043

Author(s):

George T. Tziros ◽

Anastasios Samaras ◽

George S. Karaoglanidis

Keyword(s):

Leaf Spot ◽

Defense Responses ◽

Copper Accumulation ◽

Leaf Spot Disease ◽

Biological Control Agents ◽

Olive Leaf ◽

Control Efficacy ◽

Resistance Inducers ◽

Kinetics Of ◽

Potential Use

Olive leaf spot (OLS) caused by Fusicladiumoleagineum is mainly controlled using copper fungicides. However, the replacement of copper-based products with eco-friendly alternatives is a priority. The use of plant resistance-inducers (PRIs) or biological control agents (BCAs) could contribute in this direction. In this study we investigated the potential use of three PRIs (laminarin, acibenzolar-S-methyl, harpin) and a BCA (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24) for the management of OLS. The tested products provided control efficacy higher than 68%. In most cases, dual applications provided higher (p < 0.05) control efficacies compared to that achieved by single applications. The highest control efficacy of 100% was achieved by laminarin. Expression analysis of the selected genes by RT-qPCR revealed different kinetics of induction. In laminarin-treated plants, for most of the tested genes a higher induction rate (p < 0.05) was observed at 3 days post application. Pal, Lox, Cuao and Mpol were the genes with the higher inductions in laminarin-treated and artificially inoculated plants. The results of this study are expected to contribute towards a better understanding of PRIs in olive culture and the optimization of OLS control, while they provide evidence for potential contributions in the reduction of copper accumulation in the environment.

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In-Depth Comparison of Dry Particle Coating Processes Used in DPI Particle Engineering

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13040580 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 580

Author(s):

Nicholas Bungert ◽

Mirjam Kobler ◽

Regina Scherließ

Keyword(s):

Drug Carrier ◽

Magnesium Stearate ◽

High Shear ◽

Particle Engineering ◽

Dry Powder Inhalation ◽

Particle Coating ◽

Lower Drug ◽

Dry Particle Coating ◽

Coarse Model ◽

Carrier Systems

High-shear mixer coatings as well as mechanofusion processes are used in the particle-engineering of dry powder inhalation carrier systems. The aim of coating the carrier particle is usually to decrease carrier–drug adhesion. This study comprises the in-depth comparison of two established dry particle coating options. Both processes were conducted with and without a model additive (magnesium stearate). In doing so, changes in the behaviour of the processed particles can be traced back to either the process or the additive. It can be stated that the coarse model carrier showed no significant changes when processed without additives. By coating the particles with magnesium stearate, the surface energy decreased significantly. This leads to a significant enhancement of the aerodynamic performance of the respective carrier-based blends. Comparing the engineered carriers with each other, the high-shear mixer coating shows significant benefits, namely, lower drug–carrier adhesion and the higher efficiency of the coating process.

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Assessment of copper accumulation in archived liver specimens from cats

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x20961350 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1098612X2096135

Author(s):

Punyamanee Yamkate ◽

Randi M Gold ◽

Panagiotis G Xenoulis ◽

Katja Steiger ◽

David C Twedt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infectious Disease ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Reference Interval ◽

Copper Accumulation ◽

Zonal Distribution ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Hepatic Copper ◽

Liver Copper ◽

Flame Atomic Absorption

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess hepatic copper concentrations and zonal distribution in cat liver specimens. Methods For this study, 121 archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver specimens from cats were used. Tissue sections were stained for copper with rhodanine and scored from 0 (no copper accumulation) to 5 (panlobular copper accumulation). The tissue specimens were then deparaffinized and hepatic copper concentrations were measured using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results Tissue samples were categorized into four groups based on histopathologic findings: (1) no significant histopathologic hepatic changes (n = 66); (2) hepatic steatosis (n = 18); (3) inflammatory or infectious disease (n = 24); and (4) neoplasia (n = 13). Of the 121 specimens, 13 (11%) stained positive for copper, with three having a score ⩾3. Thirty-seven specimens (31%) had copper concentrations above the reference interval ([RI] <180 µg/g dry weight liver). Copper concentrations in cats with hepatic inflammatory or infectious disease were significantly higher than cats with hepatic steatosis ( P = 0.03). Copper-staining score and concentration were positively correlated ( rs = 0.46, P <0.001). Conclusions and relevance Despite the fact that 31% of specimens had copper concentrations above the RI, only 11% showed positive copper staining and only 2.5% had a score ⩾3. Our findings suggest that hepatic copper concentrations greater than the upper limit of the RI are relatively common in cats. Further studies to determine the factors that influence hepatic copper staining in cats and to establish contemporary RIs for hepatic copper in healthy cats are warranted.

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