Emergence and physiological behavior of provenances of pinhão manso in function of level of aluminum

The aluminum in high levels in the soil affects the emergence, growth, and development of various species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the emergence and physiological behavior of four provenances of Jatropha curcas subjected to different levels of aluminum. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design, with four levels of aluminum in the soil (8.2, 16.5, 24.0 mmolc·dm-3 and control) and four provenances of J. curcas seeds (P1 = Dourados-MS, P2 = Montes Claros-MG, P3 = Alta Floresta-MT, and P4 = Petrolina-PE); the effects of aluminum toxicity were investigated in 25, 50, 75, and 100 days after emergence. The levels of aluminum in the soil were collected from the initial soil correction, which featured an aluminum level of 24.0 mmolc dm-3. The seedling emergence was not affected by treatment with aluminum; however, the height and leaf area of P1, P2, and P3 were reduced with increasing levels of aluminum. The emergence and vigor of J. curcas seeds were not influenced by the differences in the origins of the seeds or by the aluminum levels evaluated. Gas exchanges were affected negatively by aluminum and the responses of the chlorophyll a fluorescence indicate harmful effect in the photosynthetic apparatus. The seeds of origin P4 (Petrolina-PE) has increased tolerance to stress conditions.

Multifocal osteonecrosis secondary to occupational exposure to aluminum

ABSTRACT Multifocal osteonecrosis is a rare disease; chronic use of corticosteroids is considered the main risk factor. Patients with chronic renal failure can develop aluminum toxicity, which can lead to osteomalacia and encephalopathy. An association between osteonecrosis and aluminum toxicity has been reported among patients with dialytic renal insufficiency. Occupational exposure to aluminum rarely causes lung disease and no cases of bone lesions resulting from exposure to this metal have been reported. In this manuscript, we describe a novel case of a patient with multifocal osteonecrosis associated with chronic occupational exposure to aluminum. Level of Evidence IV, Case Report.

Stability of purified Vero cell-derived inactivated Japanese Encephalitis vaccines under various conditions

<p>The stability of three batches of purified Vero cell-derived, inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccines was evaluated under various conditions. Vaccine products were stored separately at 2 to 8 ℃ and 37 ℃. At various times, vaccines samples were taken and evaluated for appearance, pH, residual aluminum, titer, and the results were compared with corresponding data of release tests. All three batches of vaccine products were conforming to release test standards, with residual host DNA being less than 100pg/dose, residual protein being 23.5ng/ml, and residual bovine albumin being 8.9ng/dose, respectively. During storage under various conditions, no abnormal appearance was observed; pH was slightly increased and residual aluminum level was decreased, both of which were within acceptable range of standards. The titers of vaccine products were determined by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). Three batches of vaccine products that were stored at 37±1℃ for 4 weeks were found to maintain titers of above 95%. When stored for 12 weeks, there was an apparent decrease of titer (maintained at 78.6% to 81.5%). Except batch 20081101 showed T values less than standard, other two batches were still qualified. Three batches of vaccine products that were stored at 2~8℃ for 36 months were found to maintain titer of 85.4% ~86.7%, with potency T values above that of reference product. At major time points of this storage condition, sterility, abnormal toxicity, and endotoxin level were all conforming to standards. This study indicates that these vaccine products have excellent stability within specific duration of storage under various conditions.</p>