Phycoremediation of contaminated water by cadmium (Cd) using two cyanobacterial strains (Trichormus variabilis and Nostoc muscorum)

Background Water pollution with heavy metals is a severe dilemma that concerns the whole world related to its risk to natural ecosystems and human health. The main objective was to evaluate the removal efficiency of Cd of various concentrations from contaminated aqueous solution by use of two cyanobacterial strains (Nostoc muscorum and Trichormus variabilis). For this purpose, a specially designed laboratory pilot-scale experiment was conducted using these two cyanobacterial strains on four different initial concentrations of Cd (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L−1) for 21 days. Results N. muscorum was more efficient than T. variabilis for removing Cd (II), with the optimum value of residual Cd of 0.033 mg L−1 achieved by N. muscorum after 21 days with initial concentration of 0.5 mg L−1, translating to removal efficiency of 93.4%, while the residual Cd (II) achieved by T. variabilis under the same conditions was 0.054 mg L−1 (89.13% removal efficiency). Algal growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments were estimated for both cyanobacterial strains throughout the incubation period. Conclusions High Cd concentration had a more toxic impact on algal growth. The outcomes of this study will help to produce treated water that could be reused in agrarian activities.

The impact of polychlorinated biphenyls on the bioluminescence rates of the Black Sea ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz (Ctenophora: Lobata)

The toxic impact of a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls Aroclor 1254 (PCB) on the luminescence characteristics of the ctenophores Mnemiopsisleidyi A. Agassiz was studied. The control group was kept in an aquarium without a toxicant; experimental individuals were placed in three aquariums with water with PCB concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 µg -1 with an exposure of 15, 30, 40 and 60 minutes. Bioluminescence of M. leidyi was studied using the “Svet” complex. The toxic impact of PCBs caused a decreased amplitude and duration of luminescence at all given concentrations, whereas one-hour exposure to mechanical agitation resulted in a maximum decrease by 35% in the glow duration. At a PCB concentration of 1 μg ∙ L -1 , a maximum decrease in the luminescence intensity by a factor of 20 was observed compared with the control group.

Cadmium: An Emerging Role in Adipose Tissue Dysfunction

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that is widespread in the environment due to the substantial anthropogenic inputs from the agriculture and industrial sectors. The toxic impact of Cd adversely affects human health and is linked with endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, diabetes-related diseases, and metabolic disorder. One of the main characterizations of Cd is bioaccumulation where its half-life reaches 40 years with an unknown biological role. Several organs were found to be targets for Cd accumulation such as the liver, kidneys, and adipose tissue. Adipose tissue (AT) is a dynamic organ that plays a significant role in the body’s homeostasis through the maintenance of energy storage. Another vital function for AT is the secretion of adipokines which provides a metabolic cross-talk with the whole body’s organs. Cd is found to adversely impact the function of AT. This includes the disruption of adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis. As a consequence, dysfunctional AT has disruptive patterns of adipokines secretions. The main adipokines produced from AT are leptin and adiponectin. Both were found to be significantly declined under the Cd exposure. Additionally, adipose tissue macrophages can produce either anti-inflammatory markers or pro-inflammatory markers depending on the local AT condition. Cadmium exposure was reported to upregulate pro-inflammatory markers and downregulate anti-inflammatory markers. However, the exact mechanisms of Cd’s adverse role on AT structure, function, and secretion patterns of adipokines are not totally clarified. Therefore, in this review, we present the current findings related to Cd detrimental effects on adipose tissues.

Phytoremediation of Contaminated Water by Cadmium (Cd) Using Two Cyanobacteria Species (Anabaena Variabilis and Nostoc Muscorum)

Background: Water pollution with heavy metals is a severe dilemma that worries the whole world related to its risk to nature ecosystem and human being health. The main objective is to evaluate the removal efficiency of Cd with various concentrations from contaminated aqueous solution by two Cyanobacteria species (Nostoc muscorum and Anabaena variabilis). For this purpose, a designed laboratory pilot scale was applied using two cyanobacteria species (Nostoc muscorum and Anabaena variabilis), four different initial concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L−1) for 21 days. Results: N. muscorum was more efficient than A. variabilis for removing Cd (II), because the optimum value of residual Cd achieved by N. muscorum after 21 days at (0.5 mg L-1) was (0.033 mg L-1), where the removal efficiency was 93.4%, while the residual Cd (II) by A. variabilis under the same conditions was (0.054 mg L-1), and the achieved removal efficiency was 89.13%. Algal growth parameters and Photosynthetic pigments were estimated for both Cyanobacteria species through the incubation period. Conclusions: High Cd concentration had a more toxic impact on algal growth. The outcomes of this study will help to produce treated water that could be reused in agrarian activities.

Cardioinotropic Effects in Subchronic Intoxication of Rats with Lead and/or Cadmium Oxide Nanoparticles

Subchronic intoxication was induced in outbred male rats by repeated intraperitoneal injections with lead oxide (PbO) and/or cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoparticles (NPs) 3 times a week during 6 weeks for the purpose of examining its effects on the contractile characteristics of isolated right ventricle trabeculae and papillary muscles in isometric and afterload contractions. Isolated and combined intoxication with these NPs was observed to reduce the mechanical work produced by both types of myocardial preparation. Using the in vitro motility assay, we showed that the sliding velocity of regulated thin filaments drops under both isolated and combined intoxication with CdO–NP and PbO–NP. These results correlate with a shift in the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms towards slowly cycling β–MHC. The type of CdO–NP + PbO–NP combined cardiotoxicity depends on the effect of the toxic impact, the extent of this effect, the ratio of toxicant doses, and the degree of stretching of cardiomyocytes and muscle type studied. Some indices of combined Pb–NP and CdO–NP cardiotoxicity and general toxicity (genotoxicity included) became fully or partly normalized if intoxication developed against background administration of a bioprotective complex.

The Toxic Impact of Life Behind Bars

Chapter 5 unpacks some key components of the damaging environment of prison and considers what a different approach to incarceration might look like. Researcher Jim Parsons provides an overview of the health impacts of incarceration, while Sara Wakefield offers new data on family history of incarceration and opportunities to mitigate the effects. Physician Homer Venters describes the lack of comprehensive health outcomes data, and designer and researcher Regina Yang Chen addresses the influence of prison design on the health and well-being of residents, staff, and the community. Finally, Kempis Songster, released from prison after serving 30 years for a murder he committed at age 15, grounds the narrative in lived experience. All are united in their call to reimagine the ways our country responds to crime and the role of incarceration.