The role of soils in provision of genetic, medicinal and biochemical resources

Intact, ‘healthy’ soils provide indispensable ecosystem services that largely depend on the biotic activity. Soil health is connected with human health, yet, knowledge of the underlying soil functioning remains incomplete. This review highlights selected services, i.e. (i) soil as a genetic resource and hotspot of biodiversity, forming the basis for providing (ii) biochemical resources and (iii) medicinal services and goods. Soils harbour an unrivalled biodiversity of organisms, especially microorganisms. Some of the abilities of autochthonous microorganisms and their relevant enzymes serve (i) to improve natural soil functions and in particular plant growth, e.g. through beneficial plant growth-promoting, symbiotic and mycorrhizal microorganisms, (ii) to act as biopesticides, (iii) to facilitate biodegradation of pollutants for soil bioremediation and (iv) to yield enzymes or chemicals for industrial use. Soils also exert direct effects on human health. Contact with soil enriches the human microbiome, affords protection against allergies and promotes emotional well-being. Medicinally relevant are soil substrates such as loams, clays and various minerals with curative effects as well as pharmaceutically active organic chemicals like antibiotics that are formed by soil microorganisms. By contrast, irritating minerals, soil dust inhalation and misguided soil ingestion may adversely affect humans. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of soils in delivering Nature’s Contributions to People.

In vivo Activity of Dust Inhalation at Ratcon Quarry, Sokuro Village, Oluyole, Ibadan Oyo State

A total of twenty (20) experimental adult male rats, aged 60 days (7 to 8 weeks) with average body weight between 150-200 gm were grouped, restrained inside laboratory approved plastic holders and exposed to dust inhalation at the quarry site with exposure time of 7, 14 and 21 days to reflect short-term effects while 42days represent long-term effects of dust inhalation on human beings. Each specimen was collected and sacrificed at their grouped survival periods and subjected to laboratory analysis that include Hematology and Histopathology of the lungs. The Hematologyresults of the 7 and 14days specimens revealed no remarkable changes in the Erythrogram (PCV, HB and RBC), the Leucogram (WBC) and the Platelets but however, the results of the 21 and 42 days specimen revealed leukocytosis (increase in WBC), lymphocytosis (increase Lym) and neutrophilia (increase neutrophils) (p<0.05). The Histopathology results of the first specimen (7 days exposure) showed no observable lesion, the second specimen(14 days) showed capillary congestion and mild interstitial pneumonia, while the third (21 days) and fourth (42 days) samples showed the rats graduating from mild to moderate interstitial pneumonia and oedema. The risk of these diseases depends on the amount of organic or inorganic dusts inhaled and deposited in the alveolar region, the air concentration of respirable dust as well as the exposure time and breathing pattern.

Analysis of Corn Dust Particle Properties and How Surface Roughness Influences Adhesion

HighlightsFreshly harvested, higher quality corn samples have a higher proportion of small dust particles with a lower circularity and aspect ratio compared to older, lower quality samples.For freshly harvested grain, dust particles removed at low centrifuge speed were significantly rougher than particles removed at high speed.Lower quality corn did not show a significant decrease in particle roughness for strongly attached dust.The surface area decreased while the surface energy increased with the attachment strength of dust particles.Abstract. High dust concentrations associated with grain handling can cause serious problems, including health and safety risks from dust inhalation and increased risk of explosions due to contained suspended dust in the presence of an ignition source. The amount of dust generated during grain handling is influenced by several factors, including the adhesion strength of dust to the grain. One factor that could influence the adhesion strength of grain dusts is how the dust particles are shaped and how their shape relates to the surface texture of corn. To better understand the properties of dust particles separated from corn samples, dust samples were analyzed for morphology and particle size. In addition, dust samples were separated with different centrifugation speeds to compare the properties of dusts that were strongly or weakly attached to the grain. These samples were observed with a light profilometer to measure their surface roughness characteristics. Results showed that freshly harvested corn samples contained a higher presence of small particles with low circularity than older, lower quality samples. The large particles observed were determined to be starch, as opposed to the smaller particles that were more likely soil or other non-plant-based material. The dust particles that were more strongly attached to corn kernels tended to have lower surface roughness than those that were weakly attached for the freshly harvested grain. Keywords: Dust adhesion, Particle shape, Surface adhesion, Surface roughness.

Pneumoconiosis

The term pneumoconiosis refers to lung disease related to dust inhalation. The inhaled particles produce a pulmonary reaction that may result in fibrosis as with asbestosis or silicosis or may result in a macrophage reaction with little fibrosis. Three key features must be addressed in a potential case of pneumoconiosis: identification of imaging signs of exposure, location of imaging findings and distribution of imaging abnormalities. Patients with pneumoconiosis may present with very subtle abnormalities usually well characterized on thin section CT or HRCT. When areas of cavitation are seen, tuberculosis must be considered in association with silicosis and coal worker pneumoconiosis. In addition, any noncalcified or indeterminate pulmonary nodule must be carefully assessed as some pneumoconioses, most notably silicosis and asbestosis, result in a higher incidence of primary lung cancer.

Seorang Wanita dengan Pneumokoniosis yang Mengalami Komplikasi Trapped Lung dan Dilakukan Dekortikasi

Background: Pneumoconiosis is an occupational lung disease caused by dust inhalation which deposit in lung parenchym and cause lung fibrosis. Trapped lung is impairment of compliance because of pleural inflammation. Case: We presented a diagnostic problem case of a woman, 37 years old who worked at coffee factory for 20 years as a coffee powder packer. Patient came in previous hospital with continous dispnea not relieved by rest or medication. She had been diagnosed with pneumothorax and already treated with chest tube for 2 weeks but there was no improvement. Patient was reffered to Dr. Soetomo hospital and treated with continous suction and chest physiotherapy for 2 months but there was no improvement. Patient then underwent thoracoscopy to find the cause of persistent collapsed lung. Thoracoscopy showed blackish leucoplaque pleural biopsy was done histopathological result showed pneumoconiosis. CT Scan showed fluidopneumothorax and severe lung restriction. The patient then underwent torachotomy and decortication which showed attachment of medial, inferior, and posterior lobe of left lung and organized pleural effusion. Post operation, the lung expanded completely and patient condition improved. Conclusion: Lung entrampment rarely become the complication of pneumoconiosis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will avoid further complication.

A case of airway aluminosis with likely secondary pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis

Background: Excessive inhalation of aluminium powder occasionally results in upper lobe predominant lung fibrosis, which is similar to idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (IPPFE) and has been suggested to be secondary PPFE. Case presentation: A 67-year-old man who had worked in an aluminum-processing factory for 50 years visited our hospital complaining of exertional dyspnea. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral dense sub-pleural consolidation in the upper and middle lung fields, which was consistent with IPPFE; however, the possibility of secondary PPFE associated with aluminosis was not ruled out. Considering the patient’s critical condition, trans-bronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) rather than surgical lung biopsy was performed, with elemental analysis of the biopsied specimen. Unfortunately, the specimen obtained by TBLB did not contain alveolar tissue; therefore, pathological diagnosis of PPFE was not possible. However, radiographic findings were highly suggestive of PPFE. On elemental analysis, excessive amounts of aluminum were detected in the bronchiolar walls, establishing a diagnosis of airway aluminosis with likely secondary PPFE resulting from aluminium exposure. Conclusions: TBLB with elemental analysis might be useful in differentiating idiopathic PPFE from secondary causes in dust inhalation related disease, such as aluminosis. This case indicated that inhalation of aluminium might cause secondary PPFE, with attention needing to be paid to avoid further exposure.