Biosorption of Cadmium by fungi isolated from Bharalu river, Assam

Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem poses a serious threat to the human health and aquatic biodiversity around. There is urgent need to remediate heavy metals contaminated wastewater through eco friendly ways. Fungi and other microorganisms have been reported to have promising potential to remove heavy metals from wastewater through biosorption. Thus the present work aimed to isolate tolerant fungal species from different sites of a polluted river Bharalu in Assam. After preliminary screening, out of a total of 15 fungal isolates obtained, 4 isolates Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigates and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were selected for further study. Tolerance limit of the isolates for Cadmium (Cd) was carried out at concentrations ranging from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm. Results showed that the maximum tolerance was observed in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (approx. 8.8 mm), followed by Aspergillus flavus (approx. 5.8 mm) at 400ppm. The biosorption efficiency at 400ppm revealed that the maximum Cd concentration was absorbed by fungal biomass of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (12.83 mg/g) and the minimum by Aspergillus niger (3.91 mg/g). Molecular identification was carried out followed by PCR amplification of the fungal biomass showing highest absorption. The sequence obtained was submitted in the GenBank using BANkIt with accession number-MN714368 which showed high similarities with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This results indicated that fungus are promising and potential sources for metal biosorption and detoxification.

Human Health Risk Assessment Through the Detection of Organochlorine Pesticides in Vegetables and Fruits from Dhaka, Bangladesh by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

This study investigated the levels of Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in vegetables and fruits from local markets of Dhaka, Bangladesh using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and analyzed the possible health risks of peoples through consumption of those fruits and vegetables. A total of 100 vegetables and 100 fruits samples were analyzed and 45% of vegetable samples and 40% of fruit samples were found to be contaminated with OCPs residues. Aldrin, p,p-DDE, Cis-Chordane, p,p-DDT, Endrin, α-Endosulfan and Lindane-I were detected in vegetable samples while Aldrin, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDT, α-Endosulfan and Lindane-I were detected in fruit samples. The HI values of Aldrin, p,p-DDE, Cis-Chordane, p,p-DDT, Endrin, α-Endosulfan and Lindane-I in vegetables were 0.109, 0.006, 0.396, 0.008, 0.153, 0.882 and 0.019 respectively while HI values of Aldrin, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDT, α-Endosulfan and Lindane-I in fruit samples were 0.0155, 0.0005, 0.0002, 0.0339, 0.0019 respectively. The average concentration of detected OCPs residues were below the FAO’s recommended maximum residue limits (MRL). It is therefore concluded that, even though OCPs residues are within the maximum tolerance range but continuous accumulation in consumer body through consumption of such vegetables and fruits may lead to chronic effects that could be fatal.

A Study on the Presence of Aflatoxin M1 in Cow’s Milk in Jiroft

Background and Aims: Cow's milk is a daily staple food for many individuals that can be contaminated with many toxins such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). AFM1 is a chemical form of the aflatoxin B1 produced by some species of Aspergillus genus like A. ochraceus, A. flavus, A. nomius, and A. parasiticus that can contaminate feed and forage cattle. This toxin enters into the milk after eating contaminated feed by cows. AFM1 can cause various dangerous diseases such as cancer and immune deficiency in humans. The present study is aimed to investigate the level of AFM1 in cow's milk in Jiroft, Kerman Province, Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 cow’s milk samples were collected in spring and summer 2019 from available stores in Jiroft city. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure AFM1 in all cow’s milk samples.Results: In the present study, AFM1 was found in 88 (97.8%) milk samples with a range of 0.2-90.62 ppt (mean, 20.07±24.46 ppt). AFM1 concentrations exceeded 50 ppt (maximum tolerance level of AFM1 in the European Union) was seen in 12 (13.3%) samples. Conclusions: The results of this study showed the presence of AFM1 in cow's milk in Jiroft city. So, in this region, many people are exposed to dangerous diseases such as cancer due to the consumption of milk contaminated with AFM1.

Internal Defects Detection Method of the Railway Track Based on Generalization Features Cluster

Many internal defects maybe arise in railway track working, which usually have different shapes and distribution rules. To solve the problem, an intelligent detection method is proposed for internal defects of railway track based on generalization features cluster in this paper. Firstly, defects are classified and counted according to their shapes and locations features. Then, generalized features of defects are extracted and formulated based on the maximum difference between different types of defects and the maximum tolerance among same types of defects. Finally, extracted generalized features are expressed by function constraints, and formulated as generalization feature clusters to classify and identify internal defects of the railway track. Furthermore, a reduced dimension method of the generalization features clusters is presented too in this paper. Based on the reduced dimension feature and strong constrained generalized features, the K-means clustering algorithm is developed for defects clustering, and good clustering results are achieved. To defects in the rail head region, its clustering accuracy is over 95%, and the Davies-Bouldin Index (DBI) index is small, which indicates the validation of the proposed generalization features with strong constraints. Experimental results show that accuracy of the proposed method based on generalization features clusters is up to 97.55%, and the average detection time is 0.12s/frame, which indicates it has good performance in adaptability, high accuracy and detection speed under the complex working environments.

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Local Chickens sold at Central Markets in Ado-Ekiti, Akure and Owena Towns

Local chickens sold in the central markets of Ado-Ekiti, Akure and Owena were randomly sampled and slaughtered. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in their blood and selected organs (intestine, heart, liver and gizzard) were isolated using wet digestion and their concentrations determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Apart from the blood of chickens from Ado-Ekiti and Owena where Pb was not detected, its concentrations in the blood and organs of the chickens obtained from the three towns ranged from 2.00 to 7.33 mg/kg, exceeding the maximum tolerance levels (0.1 mg/kg) in internal organs of poultry birdsset by EU, ANZFA and FAO/WHO. With the exception of intestine of chickens from the three towns, Cd was only detected in the heart, blood and gizzard of chickens from Akure as well as liver and gizzard of chickens from Owena, covering a range of 0.11 to 0.67 mg/kg. The upper limit exceeded the maximum limits (0.5 mg/kg) according to FAO/WHO. Zn was detected in all selected parts of chickens from the three towns ranging 5.67 to 183.17 mg/kg. Its concentrations were within the permissible limit(10-50 mg/kg) by EU and FAO/WHO in certain selected parts of some chickens while it exceededthe permissible limit (150 mg/kg) by ANZFA especially in the liver of chicken from Ado-Ekiti. Some organs and blood of local chickens sold in the central markets at Ado-Ekiti, Akure and Owena may pose health risks.

Residues of antibiotics in raw honeys from different apiaries of Northern India and evaluation of human health risks

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in apicultural practices may lead to contamination of otherwise healthy and naturally produced honey. Contamination not only affects honey quality but also pose significant health risks to consumers. In this context, one hundred raw honey samples from India were analysed for presence of antibiotic residues. For determination of oxytetracycline and erythromycin, high performance liquid chromatography and for chloramphenicol, enzyme immunoassay based validated procedures were used. Oxytetracycline and erythromycin with concentrations above maximum tolerance limits were detected in 24% and 2% samples, respectively. None of the samples contained chloramphenicol residues. Although, total dietary intake of detected antibiotics through honey was found to be <1% of their acceptable daily intake values, the presence of antibiotics in honey is an alarming health concern for people following customary honey feeding. The outcomes underline the need of inter-sectoral approaches to create awareness among beekeepers regarding health risks associated with residues of antibiotics in honey and merits of approved apicultural practices. Therefore, to meet global food safety requirements, continual residue monitoring schemes along with enlightenment of beekeepers on scientific beehive management and risks associated with incautious apicultural practices are of vital importance.

The Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 in Yoghurt Samples from Hamadan, Iran

Background: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a hepatocarcinogenic and hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1, detected in milk and milk products. Objectives: The aim of our research was to determine the incidence and risk assessment of AFM1 through the consumption of yoghurt in Hamadan province of Iran. Methods: Fifty yoghurt samples were gathered from various areas of Hamadan province, Iran and tested for AFM1 by ELISA technique. The estimated daily intake (EDI) and the liver cancer incidence of aflatoxin M1 were determined. Results: AFM1 was detected in 43 (86%) samples, (mean: 28.56 ng/kg; range: <5-98.65 ng/kg). The level of AFM1 in 9 (18%) samples was above the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/kg). The AFM1 intake through yoghurt consumption in various population groups ranged from 0.016 to 0.032 ng/kg bw/day in mean consumers and 0.019 to 0.046 ng/kg bw/day in high consumers. Conclusion: The AFM1 intake through yoghurt contributed a slight part from the overall incidence of liver cancer in the Iranian population. From the findings of the current study, it can be derived that although the high percentage of yoghurt samples in Iran proved to be contaminated with AFM1 contents, did not show a public health concern considering the European Commission (EC) and the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) maximum limits.

Phase I dose-escalation trial of S-1 combined with carbon-ion radiotherapy for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

This study aimed to determine the maximum tolerance dose (MTD) and to estimate the recommended dose (RD) of concomitant S-1 with carbon-ion radiotherapy (RT) for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Nine patients with sinonasal SCC received carbon-ion RT with escalating doses of S-1 according to phase I methods. Doses of 40, 60 and 80 mg/m2/day were administered twice daily in dose levels 1, 2 and 3, respectively, from days 1 to 14 and 22 to 35. Carbon-ion RT was administered at a dose of 70.4 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) in 32 fractions, 5 days a week. Two patients developed grade 3 acute dermatitis. However, none developed dose-limiting toxicities. Therefore, the MTD of S-1 could not be determined; the RD was estimated to be 80 mg/m2/day with concurrent carbon-ion RT. Partial response and stable disease were noted in 5 and 4 patients, respectively. The 2-year overall survival and local control rates were 56 and 74%, respectively. Overall, 2 patients developed ≥grade 3 late toxicities; among them, 1 patient developed grade 3 cataract and the other developed grade 4 cataract, optic nerve disorder and hearing impairment. To the best of our knowledge, this phase I study is the first clinical trial to evaluate concomitant S-1 with carbon-ion RT for sinonasal SCC. The MTD of S-1 could not be determined, and the RD was estimated to be 80 mg/m2/day. This study demonstrated a manageable safety profile for this combination. The observed outcomes may facilitate further evaluation of this novel therapy.