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Soran ML, Lung I, Stegarescu A, Culicov O, Opriș O, Nekhoroshkov P, Podar D. Correlation of Elemental Transfer, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity on Lactuca sativa L. Grown in Soil with Functionalized CNT and HMs. Metabolites 2023; 13:1171. [PMID: 38132853 PMCID: PMC10744709 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13121171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
While heavy metals (HM) have been considered in recent decades to be the most common and problematic pollutants, the expansion of the list of pollutants due to the active use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) raises new questions about the benefit and harm of HM released to nature individually or fixed on CNT walls. A pot experiment was conducted to compare the effect of two classes of potential pollutants-metal salts of Pb, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Ni; and functionalized CNTs with COOH, MnO2, Fe3O4, and MnO2-Fe3O4-applied in soil, on the elemental transfer, the bioactive compounds accumulation, and the antioxidant activity in lettuce. While CNTs mainly increased the elemental transfer from soil to leaves, HM salts strongly obstructed it. In the presence of CNTs, the antioxidant activity in lettuce leaves correlated with the transfer of elements from soil to root and from root to leaves. The excess of HMs in soil induced a greater variation of the polyphenols quantity and antioxidant activity than the excess of CNTs. It might be assumed that lettuce perceived HMs as a more aggressive stressor than CNTs and more strongly activated the defense mechanism, showing the reduction of the element transfer and enhancing of total polyphenol production and antioxidant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Loredana Soran
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.-L.S.); (I.L.); (A.S.); (O.O.)
| | - Ildiko Lung
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.-L.S.); (I.L.); (A.S.); (O.O.)
| | - Adina Stegarescu
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.-L.S.); (I.L.); (A.S.); (O.O.)
| | - Otilia Culicov
- Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 6 Joliot-Curie, 141980 Dubna, Russia;
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ocsana Opriș
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.-L.S.); (I.L.); (A.S.); (O.O.)
| | - Pavel Nekhoroshkov
- Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 6 Joliot-Curie, 141980 Dubna, Russia;
| | - Dorina Podar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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Turtureanu PD, Pușcaș M, Podar D, Balázs ZR, Hurdu BI, Novikov A, Renaud J, Saillard A, Bec S, Șuteu D, Băcilă I, Choler P. Extent of intraspecific trait variability in ecologically central and marginal populations of a dominant alpine plant across European mountains. Ann Bot 2023; 132:335-347. [PMID: 37478315 PMCID: PMC10583199 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studying trait variability and restricted gene flow between populations of species can reveal species dynamics. Peripheral populations commonly exhibit lower genetic diversity and trait variability due to isolation and ecological marginality, unlike central populations experiencing gene flow and optimal conditions. This study focused on Carex curvula, the dominant species in alpine acidic meadows of European mountain regions. The species is sparser in dry areas such as the Pyrenees and Balkans, compared to the Central-Eastern Alps and Carpathians. We hypothesized that distinct population groups could be identified based on their mean functional trait values and their correlation with the environment; we predicted that ecologically marginal populations would have stronger trait correlations, lower within-population trait variability (intraspecific trait variability, ITV) and lower genetic diversity than populations of optimal habitats. METHODS Sampling was conducted in 34 populations that spanned the entire distribution range of C. curvula. We used hierarchical clustering to identify emergent functional groups of populations, defined by combinations of multiple traits associated with nutrient economy and drought tolerance (e.g. specific leaf area, anatomy). We contrasted the geographical distribution of these groups in relation to environment and genetic structure. We compared pairwise trait relationships, within-population trait variation (ITV) and neutral genetic diversity between groups. KEY RESULTS Our study identified emergent functional groups of populations. Those in the southernmost ranges, specifically the Pyrenees and Balkan region, showed drought-tolerant trait syndromes and correlated with indicators of limited water availability. While we noted a decline in population genetic diversity, we did not observe any significant changes in ITV in ecologically marginal (peripheral) populations. CONCLUSIONS Our research exemplifies the relationship between ecological marginality and geographical peripherality, which in this case study is linked to genetic depauperation but not to reduced ITV. Understanding these relationships is crucial for understanding the biogeographical factors shaping trait variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dan Turtureanu
- A. Borza Botanic Garden, Babeș-Bolyai University, 42 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Emil G. Racoviță Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai Pușcaș
- A. Borza Botanic Garden, Babeș-Bolyai University, 42 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Emil G. Racoviță Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dorina Podar
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zoltán Robert Balázs
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Iuliu Hurdu
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andriy Novikov
- Department of Biosystematics and Evolution, State Museum of Natural History of the NAS of Ukraine, 18 Teatralna Street, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Julien Renaud
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Amélie Saillard
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Stéphane Bec
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Dana Șuteu
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Băcilă
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Philippe Choler
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
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Podar D, Boza CL, Lung I, Soran ML, Culicov O, Stegarescu A, Opriş O, Ciorîță A, Nekhoroshkov P. The Effect of Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes with Fe and Mn Oxides on Lactuca sativa L. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:1959. [PMID: 37653877 PMCID: PMC10222390 DOI: 10.3390/plants12101959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of six nanomaterials, namely CNT-COOH, CNT-MnO2, CNT-Fe3O4, CNT-MnO2-Fe3O4, MnO2, and Fe3O4 on lettuceTo determine the impact of nanomaterials on lettuce, the results obtained were compared with those for the control plant, grown in the same conditions of light, temperature, and humidity but without the addition of nanomaterial. The study found that the content of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity varied in the treated plants compared to the control ones, depending on the nanomaterial. The use of CNTs functionalized with metal oxides increases the elemental concentration of lettuce leaves for the majority of the elements. On the contrary, metal oxide nanoparticles and CNT functionalized with carboxyl groups induce a decrease in the concentration of many elements. Soil amending with MnO2 affects the content of more than ten elements in leaves. Simultaneous application of CNT and MnO2 stimulates the elemental translocation of all elements from roots to leaves, but the simultaneous use of CNT and Fe3O4 leads to the most intense translocation compared to the control other than Mo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Podar
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.P.); (C.-L.B.)
| | - Camelia-Loredana Boza
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.P.); (C.-L.B.)
| | - Ildiko Lung
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.L.); (M.-L.S.); (A.S.); (O.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria-Loredana Soran
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.L.); (M.-L.S.); (A.S.); (O.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Otilia Culicov
- Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 6 Joliot-Curie, 1419890 Dubna, Russia;
- National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adina Stegarescu
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.L.); (M.-L.S.); (A.S.); (O.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Ocsana Opriş
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.L.); (M.-L.S.); (A.S.); (O.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Alexandra Ciorîță
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.L.); (M.-L.S.); (A.S.); (O.O.); (A.C.)
| | - Pavel Nekhoroshkov
- Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 6 Joliot-Curie, 1419890 Dubna, Russia;
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Namer Y, Fretian A, Podar D, Razum O. Stressful life events as predictors of refugee adolescents’ subjective mental health need. Eur J Public Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Asylum seeking and refugee (ASR) adolescents fleeing armed conflict have lived through stressful events. Although not all stressful life events are experienced as post-traumatic stress, they may still lead to subjective need for mental health support. In this study, we assessed which stressful events predicted subjective need.
Methods
We collected and analysed cross-sectional data (February 2019-November 2020) from ASR adolescents aged 11-18, coming from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq (n = 216). Subjective mental health need was measured with the question “Do you think you have emotional difficulties that you need help with?” and stressful life events (SLE) by the SLE Checklist, a self-report screening tool that asks if participants experienced stressful events in three categories: separation from family, witnessing armed conflict, experiencing violence. Binary logistic regression was run to assess the relative contribution of stressful life events to subjective need.
Results
30.1% of participants reported subjective need for mental health support. Most commonly encountered events were witnessing armed conflict (53.2%) and experiencing the death of a loved one (51.9%). Only one stressful event significantly predicted subjective need for mental health support: separation from family or relatives against one's will (e.g., by police or military) [OR = 6.32, 95%CI(1.79,22.31)].
Conclusions
ASR adolescents who have been separated from their family by force report subjective need for mental health support. It is important to supplement diagnostic tools with subjective report of needing mental health care. ASR adolescents who have experienced separation from famil by force should be given spaces to talk about their need for mental health support. Public health interventions could focus on creating or utilising such spaces where mental health support is available. Crucially, bureaucratic and legal burdens that impede speedy family reunification should be reduced.
Key messages
• ASR adolescents who have been separated from their families by force are more likely to report subjective need for mental health support.
• The higher reported need highlights the importance of reducing bureaucratic and legal burdens that impede fast family reunification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Namer
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - A Fretian
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - D Podar
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - O Razum
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
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Wandschneider L, Podar D, Wetzel L, Luetke Lanfer H, Skrypnikova O, Razum O, Selig S, Namer Y. Syllabi collection on diversity and intersectionality in public health: reflecting on the development. Eur J Public Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac131.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Highlighting the intersectionalities between different markers of diversity and health inequities encourages the reconsideration of normativities in public health (PH). We developed an open access collection of syllabi on the relevance of intersectionality and diversity in PH together with the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER).
Objectives
We developed the syllabi in a participatory, iterative process guided by transformative teaching pedagogy. We reflect on this process and how this can inform the enhancement of the syllabi themselves, as well as future curriculum development.
Results
We recruited a core group of 9 PH researchers, teachers and professionals from all career levels from participants of introductory session presentations in different settings (e.g., 14th EPHC, ASPHER Retreat). The core group met once a month for one year online, and each meeting took the form of co-working sessions in breakout rooms to develop the syllabi based on interest and expertise. We designed a qualitative online survey to evaluate and ensure the scientific rigor and pedagogical value of the syllabi. We invited critical and constructive input from ASPHER member school professionals with expertise in intersectionality, diversity or curriculum development in PH in terms of content and pedagogy.
Conclusions
Drawing from the expertise of the PH community we combined diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, experiences from different career levels and PH education systems, as well as specialisation in the PH field. The transformative pedagogical approach was considered particularly valuable in strengthening competences such as reflexive strategies and self-, social- and global awareness which are key to teaching on diversity and intersectionality issues. The peer-review structure supports the uptake in PH education and a sustainable implementation. The collection will also allow PH faculty to diversify their pedagogical approaches.
Key messages
• Inclusion of health inequities, diversity and social injustice issues is crucial in public health curricula, since an intersectional perspective is increasingly acknowledged in public health research.
• The syllabi collection will equip public health teachers of all career levels to develop their own course material on social identities and their significance for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Wandschneider
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - D Podar
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - L Wetzel
- Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Fulda , Fulda, Germany
| | - H Luetke Lanfer
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - O Skrypnikova
- School of Public Health, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy , Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - O Razum
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
| | - S Selig
- Department of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Michigan-Flint , Michigan-Flint, USA
| | - Y Namer
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University , Bielefeld, Germany
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Podar D, Maathuis FJM. The role of roots and rhizosphere in providing tolerance to toxic metals and metalloids. Plant Cell Environ 2022; 45:719-736. [PMID: 34622470 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Human activity and natural processes have led to the widespread dissemination of metals and metalloids, many of which are toxic and have a negative impact on plant growth and development. Roots, as the first point of contact, are essential in endowing plants with tolerance to excess metal(loid) in the soil. The most important root processes that contribute to tolerance are: adaptation of transport processes that affect uptake efflux and long-distance transport of metal(loid)s; metal(loid) detoxification within root cells via conjugation to thiol rich compounds and subsequent sequestration in the vacuole; plasticity in root architecture; the presence of bacteria and fungi in the rhizosphere that impact on metal(loid) bioavailability; the role of root exudates. In this review, we provide details on these processes and assess their relevance on the detoxification of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and zinc in crops. Furthermore, we assess which of these strategies have been tested in field conditions and whether they are effective in terms of improving crop metal(loid) tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Podar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology-Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj, Romania
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7
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Stanton C, Sanders D, Krämer U, Podar D. Zinc in plants: Integrating homeostasis and biofortification. Mol Plant 2022; 15:65-85. [PMID: 34952215 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Zinc plays many essential roles in life. As a strong Lewis acid that lacks redox activity under environmental and cellular conditions, the Zn2+ cation is central in determining protein structure and catalytic function of nearly 10% of most eukaryotic proteomes. While specific functions of zinc have been elucidated at a molecular level in a number of plant proteins, wider issues abound with respect to the acquisition and distribution of zinc by plants. An important challenge is to understand how plants balance between Zn supply in soil and their own nutritional requirement for zinc, particularly where edaphic factors lead to a lack of bioavailable zinc or, conversely, an excess of zinc that bears a major risk of phytotoxicity. Plants are the ultimate source of zinc in the human diet, and human Zn deficiency accounts for over 400 000 deaths annually. Here, we review the current understanding of zinc homeostasis in plants from the molecular and physiological perspectives. We provide an overview of approaches pursued so far in Zn biofortification of crops. Finally, we outline a "push-pull" model of zinc nutrition in plants as a simplifying concept. In summary, this review discusses avenues that can potentially deliver wider benefits for both plant and human Zn nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dale Sanders
- John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Ute Krämer
- Molecular Genetics and Physiology of Plants, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Dorina Podar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babes-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Balázs HE, Schmid CAO, Cruzeiro C, Podar D, Szatmari PM, Buegger F, Hufnagel G, Radl V, Schröder P. Post-reclamation microbial diversity and functions in hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) contaminated soil in relation to spontaneous HCH tolerant vegetation. Sci Total Environ 2021; 767:144653. [PMID: 33550064 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity, volatility and persistence of the obsolete organochlorine pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), makes reclamation of contaminated areas a priority for the health and welfare of neighboring human communities. Microbial diversity and functions and their relation to spontaneous vegetation in post-excavation situations, are essential indicators to consider in bioaugmentation or microbe-assisted phytoremediation strategies at field scale. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term HCH contamination on soil and plant-associated microbial communities, and whether contaminated soil has the potential to act as a bacterial inoculum in post-excavation bioremediation strategies. To scrutinize the role of vegetation, the potential nitrogen fixation of free-living and symbiotic diazotrophs of the legume Lotus tenuis was assessed as a measure of nutrient cycling functions in soil under HCH contamination. Potential nitrogen fixation was generally not affected by HCH, with the exception of lower nifH gene counts in excavated contaminated rhizospheres, most probably a short-term HCH effect on early bacterial succession in this compartment. HCH shaped microbial communities in long-term contaminated bulk soil, where we identified possible HCH tolerants such as Sphingomonas and Altererythrobacter. In L. tenuis rhizosphere, microbial community composition was additionally influenced by plant growth stage. Sphingobium and Massilia were the bacterial genera characteristic for HCH contaminated rhizospheres. Long-term HCH contamination negatively affected L. tenuis growth and development. However, root-associated bacterial community composition was driven solely by plant age, with negligible HCH effect. Results showed that L. tenuis acquired possible HCH tolerant bacteria such as the Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium clade, Sphingomonas, Massilia or Pantoea which could simultaneously offer plant growth promoting (PGP) benefits for the host. Finally, we identified an inoculum with possibly HCH tolerant, PGP bacteria transferred from the contaminated bulk soil to L. tenuis roots through the rhizosphere compartment, consisting of Mesorhizobium loti, Neorhizobium galegae, Novosphingobium lindaniclasticum, Pantoea agglomerans and Lysobacter bugurensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga E Balázs
- Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Babeş-Bolyai University, Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Christoph A O Schmid
- Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Catarina Cruzeiro
- Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Dorina Podar
- Babeş-Bolyai University, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Paul-Marian Szatmari
- Babeş-Bolyai University, Department of Taxonomy and Ecology, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Biological Research Center, Botanical Garden "Vasile Fati", 16 Wesselényi Miklós St., 455200 Jibou, Romania
| | - Franz Buegger
- Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Research Unit for Biochemical Plant Pathology, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Gudrun Hufnagel
- Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Viviane Radl
- Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Peter Schröder
- Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Ciorîță A, Tripon SC, Mircea IG, Podar D, Barbu-Tudoran L, Mircea C, Pârvu M. The Morphological and Anatomical Traits of the Leaf in Representative Vinca Species Observed on Indoor- and Outdoor-Grown Plants. Plants (Basel) 2021; 10:622. [PMID: 33805226 PMCID: PMC8064346 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Morphological and anatomical traits of the Vinca leaf were examined using microscopy techniques. Outdoor Vinca minor and V. herbacea plants and greenhouse cultivated V. major and V. major var. variegata plants had interspecific variations. All Vinca species leaves are hypostomatic. However, except for V. minor leaf, few stomata were also present on the upper epidermis. V. minor leaf had the highest stomatal index and V. major had the lowest, while the distribution of trichomes on the upper epidermis was species-specific. Differentiated palisade and spongy parenchyma tissues were present in all Vinca species' leaves. However, V. minor and V. herbacea leaves had a more organized anatomical aspect, compared to V. major and V. major var. variegata leaves. Additionally, as a novelty, the cellular to intercellular space ratio of the Vinca leaf's mesophyll was revealed herein with the help of computational analysis. Lipid droplets of different sizes and aspects were localized in the spongy parenchyma cells. Ultrastructural characteristics of the cuticle and its epicuticular waxes were described for the first time. Moreover, thick layers of cutin seemed to be characteristic of the outdoor plants only. This could be an adaptation to the unpredictable environmental conditions, but nevertheless, it might influence the chemical composition of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ciorîță
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
- Electron Microscopy Center, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (S.C.T.); (L.B.-T.)
- Integrated Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Septimiu Cassian Tripon
- Electron Microscopy Center, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (S.C.T.); (L.B.-T.)
- Integrated Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Gabriel Mircea
- Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogalniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Dorina Podar
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
- Electron Microscopy Center, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (S.C.T.); (L.B.-T.)
- Integrated Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Mircea
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
| | - Marcel Pârvu
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.); (D.P.); (C.M.)
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Abstract
Abstract
Background
Half of the estimated 70.8 million forcibly displaced people are under the age of 18. Clinical studies assessing prevalence of mental illness, commonly depict them as a particularly vulnerable group. However, screening instruments are not enough when establishing the need for mental health care. By supplementing them with subjective measures, we aim to provide insight into the mental health care needs of otherwise overlooked groups.
Methods
Data were collected between February and November 2019 in German schools and refugee accommodations via tablet based self-assessment. Adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age coming from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq were invited to participate. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-37 (HSCL) was used to measure internalizing and externalizing symptoms (i.e. objective need; cut-off score = 69). A single item was used to assess the subjective need for mental health care: “Do you think that you have emotional difficulties for which you need help?”
Results
A total of 259 participants completed the questionnaire. While 22.4% reported an emotional issue for which they need help (missing values=22.4%), the HSCL (α=.90) identified 10.4% of participants to be at risk for a mental health disorder (missing values=18.5%). Most participants (62.5%) reported neither objective nor subjective care need. However, 23.7% (n = 36) of those not identified as at risk said they have emotional difficulties, while 5.9% (n = 9) of those at risk stated they do not have an emotional issue.
Conclusions
Our sample showed lower levels of mental health issues as measured by the HSCL, when compared to samples of refugee minors in Germany (33.7%) and Norway (17.2%). Especially vulnerable groups are those who report problems, but are not identified by the screening measure as at risk and those identified as at risk, but do not perceive to have mental health difficulties. Public health interventions need to develop tailored strategies to reach these groups.
Key messages
Screening instruments are not enough when establishing the need for mental health care of vulnerable populations. Subjective and objective need should be considered when establishing who gets mental health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fretian
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - D Podar
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - O Razum
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Y Namer
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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11
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Podar D, Macalik K, Réti KO, Martonos I, Török E, Carpa R, Weindorf DC, Csiszár J, Székely G. Morphological, physiological and biochemical aspects of salt tolerance of halophyte Petrosimonia triandra grown in natural habitat. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 2019; 25:1335-1347. [PMID: 31736538 PMCID: PMC6825091 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-019-00697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Salt tolerance mechanisms of halophyte Petrosimonia triandra, growing in its natural habitat in Cluj County, Romania, were investigated via biomass, growth parameters, water status, ion content, photosynthetic and antioxidative system efficiency, proline accumulation and lipid degradation. Two sampling sites with different soil electrical conductivities were selected: site 1: 3.14 dS m-1 and site 2: 4.45 dS m-1. Higher salinity proved to have a positive effect on growth. The relative water content did not decline severely, Na+ and K+ content of the roots, stem and leaves was more, and the functions of the photosynthetic apparatus and photosynthetic pigment contents were not altered. The efficiency of the antioxidative defence system was found to be assured by coordination of several reactive oxygen species scavengers. The presence of higher salinity led to accumulation of the osmolyte proline, while degradation of membrane lipids was reduced. As a whole, P. triandra evolved different adaptational strategies to counteract soil salinity, including morphological and physiological adaptations, preservation of photosynthetic activity, development of an efficient antioxidative system and accumulation of the osmotic compound, proline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Podar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre of Systemic Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeş-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Kunigunda Macalik
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Kinga-Olga Réti
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele St., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ildikó Martonos
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele St., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Edina Török
- MTA ÖK Lendület Landscape and Conservation Ecology Research Group, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, 2-4 Alkotmány St., Vácrátót, 2163 Hungary
| | - Rahela Carpa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David C. Weindorf
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX USA
| | - Jolán Csiszár
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 52 Közép fasor St., Szeged, 6726 Hungary
| | - Gyöngyi Székely
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre of Systemic Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babeş-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor St., Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Institute for Research-Development-Innovation in Applied Natural Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele St., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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12
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Balázs HE, Schmid CAO, Feher I, Podar D, Szatmari PM, Marincaş O, Balázs ZR, Schröder P. HCH phytoremediation potential of native plant species from a contaminated urban site in Turda, Romania. J Environ Manage 2018; 223:286-296. [PMID: 29933144 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Current physical or chemical methods used for remediation of soils contaminated with hexachlocyclohexane (HCH), leave behind significant levels of pollutants. Given the compound's volatility and persistence in the environment, sites contaminated with HCH remain a concern for the population living in nearby areas. By making use of both the recovery capacity and the pollutant uptake ability of spontaneously growing vegetation, our study aimed to identify native plant species able to cover and moreover take up the HCH left at a former lindane production unit in Turda, Romania. The results showed that dominant species across the study site like Lotus tenuis, Artemisia vulgaris or Tanacetum vulgare, were capable of taking up HCH in their tissues, according to different patterns that combined at the scale of the plant community. Regardless of the proximity of the HCH contamination hotspots, the development of the plant cover was characteristic for vegetation succession on disturbed soils of the Central European region. Finally, we conclude that plant species which grow spontaneously at the HCH contaminated site in Turda and are capable of taking up the pollutant, represent a self-sustainable and low maintenance phytomanagement approach that would allow for the reintegration of the site in the urban or industrial circuit and nevertheless would reduce the toxicity risk to the neighboring human inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga E Balázs
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, München, Germany; Botanical Garden "Alexandru Borza", 42 Republicii St., 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Christoph A O Schmid
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, München, Germany
| | - Ioana Feher
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat St. 400293, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dorina Podar
- Babeş-Bolyai University, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Paul-Marian Szatmari
- Botanical Garden "Alexandru Borza", 42 Republicii St., 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Biological Research Center, Botanical Garden "Vasile Fati", 16 Wesselényi Miklós St., 455200, Jibou, Romania
| | - Olivian Marincaş
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat St. 400293, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zoltan R Balázs
- Babeş-Bolyai University, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 1 Kogălniceanu St., 400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Peter Schröder
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, München, Germany.
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13
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Mot AC, Puscas C, Miclea P, Naumova-Letia G, Dorneanu S, Podar D, Dissmeyer N, Silaghi-Dumitrescu R. Redox control and autoxidation of class 1, 2 and 3 phytoglobins from Arabidopsis thaliana. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13714. [PMID: 30209406 PMCID: PMC6135765 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31922-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite a recent increase in interest towards phytoglobins and their importance in plants, much is still unknown regarding their biochemical/biophysical properties and physiological roles. The present study presents data on three recombinant Arabidopsis phytoglobins in terms of their UV-vis and Raman spectroscopic characteristics, redox state control, redox potentials and autoxidation rates. The latter are strongly influenced by pH for all three hemoglobins - (with a fundamental involvement of the distal histidine), as well as by added anion concentrations - suggesting either a process dominated by nucleophilic displacement of superoxide for AtHb2 or an inhibitory effect for AtHb1 and AtHb3. Reducing agents, such as ascorbate and glutathione, are found to either enhance- (presumably via direct electron transfer or via allosteric regulation) or prevent autoxidation. HbFe3+ reduction was possible in the presence of high (presumably not physiologically relevant) concentrations of NADH, glutathione and ascorbate, with differing behaviors for the three globins. The iron coordination sphere is found to affect the autoxidation, redox state interconversion and redox potentials in these three phytoglobins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustin C Mot
- Research Center for Advanced Chemical Analysis, Instrumentation and Chemometrics, Babes-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Street, RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Independent Junior Research Group on Protein Recognition and Degradation, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Cristina Puscas
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Patricia Miclea
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Galaba Naumova-Letia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sorin Dorneanu
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dorina Podar
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Nico Dissmeyer
- Independent Junior Research Group on Protein Recognition and Degradation, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Radu Silaghi-Dumitrescu
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, RO-400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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14
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McGladdery C, Weindorf DC, Chakraborty S, Li B, Paulette L, Podar D, Pearson D, Kusi NYO, Duda B. Elemental assessment of vegetation via portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry. J Environ Manage 2018; 210:210-225. [PMID: 29348058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Elemental concentrations in vegetation are of critical importance, whether establishing plant essential element concentrations (toxicity vs. deficiency) or investigating deleterious elements (e.g., heavy metals) differentially extracted from the soil by plants. Traditionally, elemental analysis of vegetation has been facilitated by acid digestion followed by quantification via inductively coupled plasma (ICP) or atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy. Previous studies have utilized portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectroscopy to quantify elements in soils, but few have evaluated the vegetation. In this study, a PXRF spectrometer was employed to scan 228 organic material samples (thatch, deciduous leaves, grasses, tree bark, and herbaceous plants) from smelter-impacted areas of Romania, as well as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certified reference materials, to demonstrate the application of PXRF for elemental determination in vegetation. Samples were scanned in three conditions: as received from the field (moist), oven dry (70 °C), and dried and powdered to pass a 2 mm sieve. Performance metrics of PXRF models relative to ICP atomic emission spectroscopy were developed to asses optimal scanning conditions. Thatch and bark samples showed the highest mean PXRF and ICP concentrations (e.g., Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe), with the exceptions of K and Cl. Validation statistics indicate that the stable validation predictive capacity of PXRF increased in the following order: oven dry intact < field moist < oven dried and powdered. Even under field moist conditions, PXRF could reasonably be used for the determination of Zn (coefficient of determination, R2val 0.86; residual prediction deviation, RPD 2.72) and Cu (R2val 0.77; RPD 2.12), while dried and powdered samples allowed for stable validation prediction of Pb (R2val 0.90; RPD 3.29), Fe (R2val 0.80; RPD 2.29), Cd (R2val 0.75; RPD 2.07) and Cu (R2val 0.98; RPD of 8.53). Summarily, PXRF was shown to be a useful approach for quickly assessing the elemental concentration in vegetation. Future PXRF/vegetation research should explore additional elements and investigate its usefulness in evaluating phytoremediation effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice McGladdery
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - David C Weindorf
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| | | | - Bin Li
- Department of Experimental Statistics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Laura Paulette
- Department of Technical and Soil Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dorina Podar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Delaina Pearson
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Nana Yaw O Kusi
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Bogdan Duda
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
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15
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Menguer PK, Vincent T, Miller AJ, Brown JK, Vincze E, Borg S, Holm PB, Sanders D, Podar D. Improving zinc accumulation in cereal endosperm using HvMTP1, a transition metal transporter. Plant Biotechnol J 2018; 16:63-71. [PMID: 28436146 PMCID: PMC5785336 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is essential for all life forms, including humans. It is estimated that around two billion people are deficient in their Zn intake. Human dietary Zn intake relies heavily on plants, which in many developing countries consists mainly of cereals. The inner part of cereal grain, the endosperm, is the part that is eaten after milling but contains only a quarter of the total grain Zn. Here, we present results demonstrating that endosperm Zn content can be enhanced through expression of a transporter responsible for vacuolar Zn accumulation in cereals. The barley (Hordeum vulgare) vacuolar Zn transporter HvMTP1 was expressed under the control of the endosperm-specific D-hordein promoter. Transformed plants exhibited no significant change in growth but had higher total grain Zn concentration, as measured by ICP-OES, compared to parental controls. Compared with Zn, transformants had smaller increases in concentrations of Cu and Mn but not Fe. Staining grain cross sections with the Zn-specific stain DTZ revealed a significant enhancement of Zn accumulation in the endosperm of two of three transformed lines, a result confirmed by ICP-OES in the endosperm of dissected grain. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis of longitudinal grain sections demonstrated a redistribution of grain Zn from aleurone to endosperm. We argue that this proof-of-principle study provides the basis of a strategy for biofortification of cereal endosperm with Zn.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eva Vincze
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsFaculty of Science and TechnologyAarhus UniversitySlagelseDenmark
| | - Søren Borg
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsFaculty of Science and TechnologyAarhus UniversitySlagelseDenmark
| | - Preben Bach Holm
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsFaculty of Science and TechnologyAarhus UniversitySlagelseDenmark
| | - Dale Sanders
- The John Innes CentreNorwich Research ParkNorwichUK
- Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - Dorina Podar
- Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
- Faculty of Biology and Geology and Institute of BionanotechnologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
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16
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Podar D, Scherer J, Noordally Z, Herzyk P, Nies D, Sanders D. Metal selectivity determinants in a family of transition metal transporters. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:402. [DOI: 10.1074/jbc.aac117.001146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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17
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Farkas A, Butiuc-Keul A, Ciatarâş D, Neamţu C, Crăciunaş C, Podar D, Drăgan-Bularda M. Microbiological contamination and resistance genes in biofilms occurring during the drinking water treatment process. Sci Total Environ 2013; 443:932-938. [PMID: 23247295 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.11.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are the predominant mode of microbial growth in drinking water systems. A dynamic exchange of individuals occurs between the attached and planktonic populations, while lateral gene transfer mediates genetic exchange in these bacterial communities. Integrons are important vectors for the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The presence of class 1 integrons (intI1, qac and sul genes) was assessed in biofilms occurring throughout the drinking water treatment process. Isolates from general and specific culture media, covering a wide range of environmental bacteria, fecal indicators and opportunistic pathogens were tested. From 96 isolates tested, 9.37% were found to possess genetic determinants of putative antimicrobial resistance, and these occurred in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Class 1 integron integrase gene was present in 8.33% of bacteria, all positive for the qacEΔ1 gene. The sul1 gene was present in 3.12% of total isolates, representing 37.5% of the class 1 integron positive cells. The present study shows that biofilm communities in a drinking water treatment plant are a reservoir of class 1 integrons, mainly in bacteria that may be associated with microbiological contamination. Eight out of nine integron bearing strains (88.8%) were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing as either enteric bacteria or species that may be connected to animal and anthropogenic disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Farkas
- Someş Water Company, 79 21 December 1989 Boulevard, 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Abstract
There is a variety of methods used for growing plants indoor for laboratory research. In most cases plant research requires germination and growth of plants. Often, people have adapted plant cultivation protocols to the conditions and materials at hand in their own laboratory and growth facilities. Here I will provide a guide for growing some of the most frequently used plant species for research, i.e., Arabidopsis thaliana, barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rice (Oryza sativa). However, the methods presented can be used for other plant species as well, especially if they are related to the above-mentioned species. The presented methods include growing plants in soil, hydroponics, and in vitro on plates. This guide is intended as a starting point for those who are just beginning to work on any of the above-mentioned plant species. Methods presented are to be taken as suggestive and modification can be made according to the conditions existing in the host laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Podar
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Department of Experimental Biology, Babes-Bolyai University, St. Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania.
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19
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Podar D, Scherer J, Noordally Z, Herzyk P, Nies D, Sanders D. Metal selectivity determinants in a family of transition metal transporters. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:3185-96. [PMID: 22139846 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.305649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal tolerance proteins (MTPs) are plant members of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) transporter family involved in cellular metal homeostasis. Members of the CDF family are ubiquitously found in all living entities and show principal selectivity for Zn(2+), Mn(2+), and Fe(2+). Little is known regarding metal selectivity determinants of CDFs. We identified a novel cereal member of CDFs in barley, termed HvMTP1, that localizes to the vacuolar membrane. Unlike its close relative AtMTP1, which is highly selective for Zn(2+), HvMTP1 exhibits selectivity for both Zn(2+) and Co(2+) as assessed by its ability to suppress yeast mutant phenotypes for both metals. Expression of HvMTP1/AtMTP1 chimeras in yeast revealed a five-residue sequence within the AtMTP1 N-segment of the His-rich intracytoplasmic loop that confines specificity to Zn(2+). Furthermore, mutants of AtMTP1 generated through random mutagenesis revealed residues embedded within transmembrane domain 3 that additionally specify the high degree of Zn(2+) selectivity. We propose that the His-rich loop, which might play a role as a zinc chaperone, determines the identity of the metal ions that are transported. The residues within transmembrane domain 3 can also influence metal selectivity, possibly through conformational changes induced at the cation transport site located within the membrane or at the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Podar
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom.
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20
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Sanders D, Podar D, Zanardi I, Noordally Z. Handling heavy metals: How plants deal with the essentials and the toxins. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.04.410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Naszradi T, Badacsonyi A, Keresztényi I, Podar D, Csintalan Z, Tuba Z. Comparison of two metal surveys by moss Tortula ruralis in Budapest, Hungary. Environ Monit Assess 2007; 134:279-85. [PMID: 17492362 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-007-9617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2006] [Accepted: 01/17/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Moss transplants of Tortula ruralis were used as active biomonitoring organisms as part of a monitoring study to assess the metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) associated with ambient particles on mosses in Budapest, the capital town of Hungary. The moss samples were collected in a nature conservation area from a semi-arid sand grassland (Festucetum vaginatae danubiale), less than 1 month before transplantation. Moss cushions were exposed to pollution in Budapest during October-November 1993 and February-March 1994. In the study area, 16 sites were marked out as measuring sites, in accordance with the structure of the city. A similar stand was established in the Botanical Gardens of the Szent István University in Gödöllo as a control site. ICP-AES analysis of moss for metals showed the ability of Tortula ruralis to accumulate the metals under study. Control site showed lower impact in comparison to the other sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Naszradi
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Szent István University, 2103 Páter K. u. 1, Gödöllo, Hungary.
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Podar D, Ramsey MH. Effect of alkaline pH and associated Zn on the concentration and total uptake of Cd by lettuce: comparison with predictions from the CLEA model. Sci Total Environ 2005; 347:53-63. [PMID: 16084967 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2004] [Revised: 11/10/2004] [Accepted: 11/12/2004] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
An eight-fold underestimate of the potential Cd exposure to humans via ingestion of lettuce grown in moderately alkaline soil has been measured experimentally. Current models of Cd uptake by leafy vegetables, which are used in risk assessment (e.g. CLEA in UK) predict higher concentration factors in acid than in alkaline soils. Experimental evidence shows that Cd uptake, although it decreases with increasing pH from acid to neutral soils, increases again in alkaline soils, confirming recent finding from other workers. The concentration of Zn in the soil also significantly affects the uptake of Cd, although this is not included in the current prediction models either. The effect of Zn on the uptake of Cd by plants is greater in slightly alkaline soils (pH 7.7) than in slightly acidic or neutral soils. High concentrations of Zn in soil (1000 mg/kg), which are often associated with elevated Cd levels, further increase the Cd concentration factor to values 12 times higher than that predicted by the CLEA model. This is due in part to the effect of the high soil Zn on reducing the above-ground biomass of the plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Podar
- Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9QJ, UK.
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Podar D, Ramsey MH, Hutchings MJ. Effect of cadmium, zinc and substrate heterogeneity on yield, shoot metal concentration and metal uptake by Brassica juncea: implications for human health risk assessment and phytoremediation. New Phytol 2004; 163:313-324. [PMID: 33873621 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01122.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
• Heavy metal contaminants are usually heterogeneously distributed in soils. However, their effects on plants are usually studied under homogeneous conditions. Here we examined the effects of Cd, Zn, and their spatial distribution on shoot yield, shoot metal concentrations, and total metal uptake by Brassica juncea. • One Cd concentration and three Zn concentrations were used. Metals were applied to the substrate either singly or in combination. • Heterogeneous metal distribution enabled growth reduction to be avoided, even at concentrations that were highly phytotoxic when distribution was homogeneous. Moderate Zn contamination reduced Cd uptake by 40%. With high Zn contamination, metal concentrations were two to four times lower when metals were heterogeneously, rather than homogeneously, distributed; shoot yields were up to 24-times greater and total shoot Cd and Zn uptakes were on average six-times higher. • It is suggested that human health risk from consuming plant parts grown on Cd-contaminated substrates is lower when Zn is also present and metal distribution is heterogeneous, and that phytoremediation potential is greater when contaminant distribution is heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Podar
- Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Michael H Ramsey
- Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Michael J Hutchings
- Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
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