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Scientific Reports Jun 2024Salinity has become a major environmental concern for agricultural lands, leading to decreased crop yields. Hence, plant biology experts aim to genetically improve...
Salinity has become a major environmental concern for agricultural lands, leading to decreased crop yields. Hence, plant biology experts aim to genetically improve barley's adaptation to salinity stress by deeply studying the effects of salt stress and the responses of barley to this stress. In this context, our study aims to explore the variation in physiological and biochemical responses of five Tunisian spring barley genotypes to salt stress during the heading phase. Two salinity treatments were induced by using 100 mM NaCl (T1) and 250 mM NaCl (T2) in the irrigation water. Significant phenotypic variations were detected among the genotypes in response to salt stress. Plants exposed to 250 mM of NaCl showed an important decline in all studied physiological parameters namely, gas exchange, ions concentration and relative water content RWC. The observed decreases in concentrations ranged from, approximately, 6.64% to 40.76% for K, 5.91% to 43.67% for Na, 14.12% to 52.38% for Ca, and 15.22% to 38.48% for Mg across the different genotypes and salt stress levels. However, under salinity conditions, proline and soluble sugars increased for all genotypes with an average increase of 1.6 times in proline concentrations and 1.4 times in soluble sugars concentration. Furthermore, MDA levels rose also for all genotypes, with the biggest rise in Lemsi genotype (114.27% of increase compared to control). Ardhaoui and Rihane showed higher photosynthetic activity compared to the other genotypes across all treatments. The stepwise regression approach identified potassium content, K/Na ratio, relative water content, stomatal conductance and SPAD measurement as predominant traits for thousand kernel weight (R2 = 84.06), suggesting their significant role in alleviating salt stress in barley. Overall, at heading stage, salt accumulation in irrigated soils with saline water significantly influences the growth of barley by influencing gas exchange parameters, mineral composition and water content, in a genotype-dependent manner. These results will serve on elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying these variations to facilitate targeted improvements in barley's tolerance to salt stress.
Topics: Hordeum; Salt Stress; Water; Minerals; Genotype; Salinity; Sodium Chloride
PubMed: 38942909
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65967-5 -
Osteoporosis International : a Journal... Jun 2024Compared with the healthy patients, patients with osteoporosis had a lower Hounsfield unit (HU) value and a higher vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score. Both the HU value...
UNLABELLED
Compared with the healthy patients, patients with osteoporosis had a lower Hounsfield unit (HU) value and a higher vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score. Both the HU value and VBQ score can simply distinguish patients with osteoporosis (OP), with a cutoff value of HU value < 97.06 and VBQ score > 3.08.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the opportunistic use of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is effective for identifying spine surgical patients with OP.
METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated 109 lumbar spine surgery patients who received lumbar quantitative CT (QCT) and MRI. Using the area under the curve, the CT-based HU value and MRI-based VBQ score were calculated. Then, based on the QCT results, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine the diagnostic performance of the HU value and VBQ score.
RESULTS
The HU value was significantly lower in the OP group, and the VBQ score was significantly higher in the OP group. Using the area under the curve, the diagnostic performance of the HU value and VBQ score for OP were 0.959 and 0.880, respectively. The diagnostic threshold values determined with optimal sensitivity and specificity were an HU value of 97.06 and a VBQ score of 3.08.
CONCLUSION
Opportunistic use of CT and MRI can simply distinguish patients with OP, which are expected to be potential alternatives to T-score for the osteoporosis screening.
PubMed: 38942897
DOI: 10.1007/s00198-024-07164-8 -
British Dental Journal Jun 2024This case presents clinical techniques and materials that may be applied in the management of internal tunnelling root resorption, a rare condition which has little...
This case presents clinical techniques and materials that may be applied in the management of internal tunnelling root resorption, a rare condition which has little published literature.A 25-year-old woman was referred to a specialist centre by her general dental practitioner following an incidental finding of a radiographic radiolucency, suggestive of root resorption associated with tooth 21. A provisional diagnosis of external cervical resorption was made, and following cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a definitive diagnosis of internal tunnelling root resorption given. Non-surgical endodontic treatment was completed using continuous wave compaction with a calcium-silicate based sealer. No further intervention has been required.A summary of the histology, aetiology, prevalence, diagnosis, management and prognosis of internal tunnelling root resorption is provided. The benefits of CBCT for diagnosing and managing internal tunnelling resorption defects and using continuous wave compaction with a calcium-silicate based sealer, compared to cold obturation techniques, are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Root Resorption; Female; Adult; Incisor; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Root Canal Filling Materials; Silicates; Calcium Compounds; Maxilla; Root Canal Therapy
PubMed: 38942857
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-024-7504-7 -
Joint Bone Spine Jun 2024Denosumab (Dmab) is widely used for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Its discontinuation is sometimes accompanied by multiple vertebral fractures....
INTRODUCTION
Denosumab (Dmab) is widely used for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Its discontinuation is sometimes accompanied by multiple vertebral fractures. Romosozumab (Rmab) has not been tested for its ability to prevent the rebound phenomenon.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present the case of a 68-year-old female patient with post-menopausal osteoporosis under treatment with Rmab who presented with multiple vertebral fractures after denosumab discontinuation. The addition of Rmab did not prevent new-onset rebound-associated vertebral fractures. The patient discontinued Rmab and Dmab was re-initiated. After six months, no new vertebral fractures occurred, bone mineral density increased and bone turnover markers remained suppressed.
DISCUSSION
Our clinical case illustrates the effectiveness of Rmab to prevent the multiple vertebral fracture cascade attributable to discontinuation of Dmab. We believe that treatment with Rmab might not be enough to prevent this phenomenon. Treatment with Dmab or possibly combination treatment with Dmab and Rmab could be another treatment option.
PubMed: 38942353
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105754 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Micropollutant removal from effluent of conventional wastewater treatment has recently become one of the most discussed topics in the design and operation of wastewater...
Vertical-flow constructed wetlands as a sustainable on-site greywater treatment process for the decrease of micropollutant concentration in urban wastewater and integration to households' water services.
Micropollutant removal from effluent of conventional wastewater treatment has recently become one of the most discussed topics in the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This is due to the need to add a post-treatment step to the conventional processes to comply with stricter quality standards for effluents as outlined in the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The adoption of on-site or decentralized greywater (GW) treatment in sustainable buildings using vertical-flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) is a promising direction. It represents an interesting alternative for the removal of micropollutants at the source of pollution, such as personal care products (PCPs) and some pharmaceuticals which are mainly present in this wastewater fraction. Additionally, the treated greywater could be used in households' water services which do not require potable water quality, thus saving drinking water. In this context, this work compares the results of micropollutant removal from projects using VFCWs as a polishing step of WWTPs effluent, as a centralized solution, to the results from a decentralized GW treatment. The results show that VFCWs can remove the investigated micropollutants (Diclofenac and DEET) with an efficiency of >90 %, in both centralized and decentralized treatments. The admixture biochar from plant residues and from cellulose-toilet paper proved to be a promising substitute for the mineral zeolite when mixed with sand to remove PCPs from GW and, therefore, a circular economy concept can be applied to this technology.
PubMed: 38942317
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174310 -
Bioresource Technology Jun 2024Visible light-driven intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation (VDICPB) is an efficient technology for removing recalcitrant contaminants, but the degradation...
Visible light-driven intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation (VDICPB) is an efficient technology for removing recalcitrant contaminants, but the degradation pathway on 17β-estradiol 3-Sulfate (E2-3S) is still not clear. In this study, VDICPB based on N-doped TiO as a photocatalyst was established to investigate the removal and transformation of E2-3S in synthetic wastewater. VDICPB showed a satisfactory removal efficiency of 97.8 ± 0.4 %, which was much higher than that of independent photocatalysis (84.0 ± 2.2 %) or biodegradation system (71.4 ± 1.8 %). Steroid C/D-rings of E2-3S was broken in VDICPB since the transformation process reached terminal central pathway. Primary metabolites did not accumulate in VDICPB, resulting in a low expression of functional genes. E2-3S was mainly removed by cooperative interaction of photocatalysis and co-metabolism of biofilm. Photocatalysis led to deconjugation and microbes acted to mineralization. This study provides technical reference and theoretical support for the removal of new pollutants.
PubMed: 38942213
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131045 -
Journal of Oral Biosciences Jun 2024This study aimed to elucidate whether the administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) results in remodeling- or modeling-based bone formation in different regions of the...
Regional difference in the distribution of alkaline phosphatase, PHOSPHO1, and calcein labeling in the femoral metaphyseal trabeculae in parathyroid hormone-administered mice.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to elucidate whether the administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) results in remodeling- or modeling-based bone formation in different regions of the murine femora, and whether the PTH-driven bone formation would facilitate osteoblastic differentiation into osteocytes.
METHODS
Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were employed to examine the distribution of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), PHOSPHO1, podoplanin, and calcein labeling in two distinct long bone regions: the metaphyseal trabeculae close to the chondro-osseous junction (COJ) and those distant from the COJ in three mouse groups, a control group receiving a vehicle (Sham group) and groups receiving hPTH (1-34) twice a day (PTH BID group) or four times a day (PTH QID group) for two weeks.
RESULTS
The Sham group showed PHOSPHO1-reactive mature osteoblasts localized primarily at the COJ, whereas the PTH BID/QID groups exhibited extended lines of PHOSPHO1-reactive osteoblasts even in regions distant from the COJ. The PTH QID group displayed fragmented calcein labeling in trabeculae close to the COJ, whereas continuous labeling was observed in trabeculae distant from the COJ. Osteoblasts tended to express podoplanin and PHOSPHO1 independently in the close and distant regions of the Sham group, while osteoblasts in the PTH-administered groups showed immunoreactivity of podoplanin and PHOSPHO1 together in the close and distant regions.
CONCLUSIONS
Administration of PTH may accelerate remodeling-based bone formation in regions close to the COJ while predominantly inducing modeling-based bone formation in distant regions. PTH appeared to simultaneously facilitate osteoblastic bone mineralization and differentiation into osteocytes in both remodeling- and modeling-based bone formation.
PubMed: 38942193
DOI: 10.1016/j.job.2024.06.007 -
European Journal of Dentistry Jun 2024The current research aimed to evaluate the histopathological pulpal alterations in dogs' teeth following direct pulp capping using either mineral trioxide aggregate...
OBJECTIVE
The current research aimed to evaluate the histopathological pulpal alterations in dogs' teeth following direct pulp capping using either mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or human placenta extract (HPE).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty-eight incisors with mature apices from four dogs were involved. The teeth were randomly allocated to three groups ( = 16) based on the material utilized for direct pulp capping: MTA, HPE, and Teflon as the negative control group. All involved teeth were capped and restored at the same session. Each group was subsequently divided into two subgroups ( = 8) based on the post treatment evaluation period: 2 and 4 weeks. The histopathologic changes in each specimen's pulp tissues, including pulp inflammation, hyperemia, necrosis, and dentin bridge development, were assessed. Then, all the data were statistically analyzed using chi-square, -test, and one-way analysis of variance ( < 0.05).
RESULTS
At 2 weeks, chronic inflammation was observed in 100% of MTA and 50% of HPE subgroups with a significant difference between them whereas the remaining 50% exhibited no inflammation. In contrast to Teflon that showed acute inflammation, remission of inflammation was time-dependent at both MTA and HPE subgroups as there was a substantial difference between the 2- and 4-weeks evaluation periods within the same group. However, throughout the initially observed 2 weeks, all subgroups exhibited essentially no complete calcified bridge; at 4 weeks, all MTA and HPE subgroups developed dentin bridge formation, with a significant difference between them regarding its thickness.
CONCLUSION
HPE is a promising pulp-capping material inducing less intense chronic inflammation accompanied with thicker dentine bridge formation in comparison to MTA.
PubMed: 38942055
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786841 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jun 2024This study investigated the chemical constituents, antioxidant potential, and in vitro and in silico antidiabetic activity of Gymnema sylvestre. Column chromatography...
This study investigated the chemical constituents, antioxidant potential, and in vitro and in silico antidiabetic activity of Gymnema sylvestre. Column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques identified twelve compounds from the methanol extract, including 4 sterols (1-4), 5 triterpenoids (5-9), and 3 flavonoids (10-12). The chemophenetic significance of all compounds was also investigated. The antioxidant capacity of the extract and compounds (1-4) was evaluated using FRAP and DPPH assays. The extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity (IC = 48.34 µg/mL), while compounds (1-4) displayed varying degrees of efficacy (IC = 98.30-286.13 µg/mL). The FRAP assay indicated significant reducing power for both extract and compounds (58.54, 47.61, 56.61, and 49.11 mg Eq.VitC/g for extract and compounds 1 & 2, 3, and 4, respectively). The antidiabetic potential was assessed through α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assays. The crude extract demonstrated the most potent inhibition (IC = 218.46 and 57.42 µg/mL for α-glucosidase and α-amylase respectively) suggesting its potential for managing postprandial hyperglycaemia. In silico studies employed molecular docking and dynamics simulations to elucidate the interactions between identified compounds and α-amylase/α-glucosidase enzymes. The results revealed promising binding affinities between the compounds and target enzymes, with compound 6 demonstrating the highest predicted inhibitory activity with -10 kcal/mol and -9.1 kcal/mol for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. This study highlights the presence of diverse bioactive compounds in Gymnema sylvestre. The extract exhibits antioxidant properties and inhibits carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, suggesting its potential as a complementary therapeutic approach for managing hyperglycaemia associated with type 2 diabetes.
PubMed: 38941896
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117043 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice, a global environmental issue, poses a significant threat to human health due to its widespread presence and potential transfer through... (Review)
Review
Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice, a global environmental issue, poses a significant threat to human health due to its widespread presence and potential transfer through the food chain. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient for humans and plants, can reduce Cd uptake in rice and alleviate Cd-induced toxicity. However, the effects and mechanisms of Se supplementation on rice performance in Cd-contaminated soil remain largely unknown. Here, a global meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the existing knowledge on the effects and mechanisms by which Se supplementation impacts rice growth and Cd accumulation. The result showed that Se supplementation has a significant positive impact on rice growth in Cd-contaminated soil. Specifically, Se supplementation decreased Cd accumulation in rice roots by 16.3 % (11.8-20.6 %), shoots by 24.6 % (19.9-29.1 %), and grain by 37.3 % (33.4-40.9 %), respectively. The grain Cd reduction was associated with Se dose and soil Cd contamination level but not Se type or application method. Se influences Cd accumulation in rice by regulating the expression of Cd transporter genes (OSLCT1, OSHMA2, and OSHMA3), enhancing Cd sequestration in the cell walls, and reducing Cd bioavailability in the soil. Importantly, Se treatment promoted Se enrichment in rice and alleviated oxidative damage associated with Cd exposure by stimulating photosynthesis and activating antioxidant enzymes. Overall, Se treatment mitigated the health hazard associated with Cd in rice grains, particularly in lightly contaminated soil. These findings reveal that Se supplementation is a promising strategy for simultaneous Cd reduction and Se enrichment in rice.
PubMed: 38941835
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135043