Indoor vs. outdoor airborne element array: A novel approach using moss bags to explore possible pollution sources

This study investigated by the moss-bag approach the pattern of air dispersed elements in 12 coupled indoor/outdoor exposure sites, all located in urban and rural residential areas. The aims were to discriminate indoor vs. outdoor element composition in coupled exposure sites and find possible relation between moss elemental profile and specific characteristics of each exposure site. Elements were considered enriched when in 60% of the sites, post-exposure concentration exceeded pre-exposure concentration plus two folds the standard deviation. Of the 53 analyzed elements, 15 (As, B, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, V, Zn) were enriched in moss exposed outdoor, whereas a subset of 7 elements (As, B, Cr, Mo, Ni, Se, V) were enriched also in indoor moss samples. The cluster analysis of the sites based on all elements, clearly separated samples in two groups corresponding to mosses exposed indoor and outdoor, with the latter generally exceeding the first. Among outdoor sites, urban were most impacted than rural; whereas other factors (e.g., heating and cooking systems, building material, residence time and family life style) could affect element profile of indoor environments. Based on the indoor/outdoor ratio, As derived from outdoor and indoor sources, B, Mo and Se were enriched mostly in outdoor sites; Ni, Cr and V were specifically enriched in most indoor samples, supporting the presence of indoor emitting sources for these elements. A PCA of all indoor sites based on enriched elements and site characteristics showed that traffic affected indoor pollution in urban areas. The moss bag approach provided useful information for a global assessment of human exposure.

Performance of three cardoon cultivars in an industrial heavy metal-contaminated soil: Effects on morphology, cytology and photosynthesis

In the present work the cytomorphological and physiological effects on three cardoon cultivars - Sardo, Siciliano, Spagnolo - grown in a metal-polluted soil, were investigated, to assess the traits concurring to the high tolerance to metal stress observed in cv. Spagnolo compared to the other two cultivars. The plants were grown for one month on a real polluted soil collected at a dismantling battery plant, highly enriched by heavy metals, especially Cd and Pb, and their leaves were analyzed by a multidisciplinary approach. TEM observations highlighted severe ultrastructural damage in Sardo and Siciliano, and preserved cytological traits in Spagnolo. Both pigment content and photochemistry indicated a decline in photosynthesis in Sardo and Sicilano and a substantial stability of the same parameters in Spagnolo. Protein analysis indicated a decrease in D1 level in all cultivars; in Spagnolo the D1 decrease was more pronounced and associated to a significant increase in Rubisco, a pattern likely preserving photosynthetic efficiency and high biomass production. In conclusion, Spagnolo cardoon was able to face metal stress through a prompt, multiple response balancing structural and functional traits.

Ultrastructural, protein and photosynthetic alterations induced by Pb and Cd in Cynara cardunculus L., and its potential for phytoremediation

The effects of cadmium and lead were investigated in Cynara cardunculus L. Plant uptake by root and shoot, changes in cell ultrastructure and photosynthetic efficiency, photosynthetic key protein levels, as well as regulation of stress-induced Hsp70 were examined. Cynara cardunculus accumulated Cd and Pb in their tissue, with a different trend for the two metals. The prompt translocation of Cd to the shoot may justify the ultrastructural injuries, especially observed in chloroplasts. However, Cd- treated plants did not show any decline in photochemistry; it is likely that Cd in shoot tissue triggers defense mechanisms, increasing the level of proteins involved in photosynthesis (i.e., Rubisco and D1 increased 7 and 4.5 fold respectively) as a compensatory response to neutralize chloroplast damage. The accumulation of Pb mainly in root, can explain the increase in Hsp70 level (23 folds) in this tissue. Pb reached the shoots, even at low amounts, causing an overall significant change in some photochemical parameters (QY and NPQ decreases and increases of 25%, respectively). The results suggest a higher sensitivity of C. cardunculus to Pb than Cd, although maximal photochemical efficiency suggests that this species seems to tolerate Pb and Cd and hence, it is a suitable candidate for phytoremediation.

Effect of central precocious puberty and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue treatment on peak bone mass and final height in females

To evaluate the effect of central precocious puberty (CPP) and its treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues on final height and peak bone mass (PBM), we measured lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in 23 girls at final height. Patients were distributed in two groups. Group 1: 14 patients with progressive CPP were treated with GnRH analogues; seven patients received buserelin (1600 microg/daily), subsequently switched to depot triptorelin (60 microg/kg/26-28 days); seven patients were treated with depot triptorelin (60 microg/kg/26-28 days); mean age of treatment was 6.2 years (range 2.7-7.8 years); the treatment was discontinued at the mean age of 10.1 years (range 8.7-11.3 years); final height was reached at the mean age 13.4 years (range 12.0-14.9 years). Group 2: 9 patients (mean age 6.5 years, range 4.8-7.7 years) with a slowly progressing variant of CPP were followed without treatment; final height was reached at the mean age 13.6 years (range 12.5-14.8 years). Lumbar BMD (L2-L4 by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) was measured in all patients at final height. In group 1, final height (158.9+/-5.4 cm) was significantly greater than the pre-treatment predicted height (153.5+/-7.2 cm, P < 0.001), but significantly lower than mid-parental height (163.2+/-6.2 cm, P < 0.005). Subdividing the girls of group 1 according to the bone age at discontinuation of therapy (i.e. < or =11.5 years, n=5, or > or =12.0 years, n=9), the former patients had a final height significantly higher than the latter (163.7+/-3.9 cm vs 156.5+/-4.6 cm, P < 0.02). In group 2, final height (161.8+/-4.6 cm) was similar to the pre-treatment predicted height (163.1+/-6.2 cm, P=NS) and was not significantly different from mid-parental height (161.0+/-5.9 cm). BMD values (group 1: 1.11+/-0.14 g/cm2, group 2: 1.22+/-0.08 g/cm2) were not significantly different from those of a control group (1.18+/-0.10 g/cm; n=20, age 16.3-20.5 years) and the patients' mothers (group 1: 1.16+/-0.07 g/cm2, n=11, age 32.9-45.1 years; group 2: 1.20+/-0.08 g/cm2, n=7, age 33.5-46.5 years). In group 1, the girls who stopped therapy at a bone age < or =11.5 years had significantly higher BMD (1.22+/-0.10 g/cm2) compared to those who discontinued therapy at a bone age > or =12.0 years (1.04+/-0.12 g/ cm2, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In girls with progressive CPP, long-term treatment with GnRH analogues improves final height. A subset of patients with CPP does not require treatment because good statural outcome (slowly progressing variant). In CPP, the abnormal onset of puberty and the long-term GnRH analogue treatment do not impair the achievement of PBM. In GnRH treated patients, the discontinuation of therapy at an appropriate bone age for pubertal onset may improve both final height and PBM.

Androgen-receptor blockade does not impair bone mineral density in adolescent females

The effect of peripheral androgen hypersensitivity on bone mineral density (BMD) was investigated in a group of adolescent women with idiopathic hirsutism (n = 17; mean age 17.0 +/- 1.7 years). The effect of long-term androgen-receptor blockade with flutamide (500 mg daily in two divided doses for 12 months) on BMD was assessed too. BMD was measured at lumbar spine (L2-L4) by a dual energy X-ray densitometer. Before flutamide treatment, patient BMD (1.14 +/- 0.07 g/cm2) was not significantly different from that of the control group (1.16 +/- 0.12 g/cm2, n = 22), and was normal for age and sex (BMD 0.14 +/- 0.69 SDS, P = NS vs. 0). After 12 months of treatment, absolute BMD in patients increased (1.18 +/- 0.08 g/cm2, P < 0.002), but SDS BMD did not change (0.21 +/- 0.72, P = NS vs. baseline). Flutamide treatment determined a clinical, marked improvement of androgen hypersensitivity (Ferriman-Gallwey score: before 22.0 +/- 6.2; 6 months: 13.2 +/- 6.4, P < 0.003; 12 months; 7.6 +/- 4.1, P < 0. 001; acne score: before 3.8 +/- 0.8; 3 months 0.8 +/- 0.5, P < 0. 001; later disappeared). The serum levels of 3alpha-androstenediol-glucoronide decreased (before: 8.6 +/- 1.1 microg/liter; 12 months: 7.2 +/- 1.0 microg/liter, P < 0.02), whereas the other endocrinological parameters did not change. No relationship was found between BMD and clinical or biochemical parameters of hyperandrogenism. We concluded that in adolescent women, peripheral hyperandrogenism is not associated with abnormal BMD; long-term treatment with flutamide, which blocks the androgen receptor, does not alter their BMD.

[Sotos syndrome: follow-up of a case with precocious puberty]

Sotos syndrome is a rare disorder of statural overgrowth in children. Peculiar facies, pre- and post-natal overgrowth and advanced bone age are the main clinical findings; developmental delay may be present. The Authors report a case of Sotos syndrome followed until adult height and describe the pattern of growth. The girl showed the typical findings of the syndrome together with premature pubarche and premature pubertal development. Since precocious puberty determines an increase of growth during childhood, the Authors suggest that Sotos syndrome should be considered and excluded in girls with premature pubertal development.

[The action of cyclosporin A (CSA) on glycogen synthesis processes in rats in vivo]

Cyclosporin A appears to act on type I diabetes. In rats it alters glucose digestion. The present study provides a more detailed analysis of the influence of this substance on certain aspects of carbohydrate metabolism. The data reveal that CSA increases the glycogen in the liver and muscle but reduces the amount in the heart. Blood sugar was also significantly increased but only after the third dose of CSA. While these preliminary results clearly show that CSA has an effect on carbohydrate metabolism they do not indicate whether is the drug itself or one of the hormones that usually influence carbohydrate exchange which has this effect.