Effects of gibberellic acid on Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in constructed wetland systems.

This study aimed to evaluate 1) the influence of gibberellic acid (GA3) in the development of Tifton 85 bermudagrass grown in constructed wetland systems (CWs) and 2) the plant's capacity to remove nutrients and sodium from synthetic municipal wastewater (SMW). The experiment was carried out in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and consisted of foliar applications of GA3 set in randomized blocks design, with four replicates and 6 treatments as following: NC (control with plants); 0 µM GA3; N1: 5 µM GA3; N2: 25 µM GA3; N3: 50 and N4: 100 µM GA3 per CWs, NC* (control with no plants): 0 µM GA3. The study was conducted over two crop cycles in the spring 2016. The parameters used to evaluate the performance of the Tifton 85 bermudagrass were its plant height, productivity, chlorophyll measurement, number of internodes, nutrients and Na removals. Chemical analyses of the effluents were conducted. In response to the application of GA3, the increase in height of Tifton 85 bermudagrass in the first crop cycle was higher than the increase in height in the second crop cycle. The decrease in plant growth in response to GA3 in the second crop cycle may be linked to the age of the plant tissue and climatic conditions. The greater growth of the plants cultivated in the CWs allows a more efficient removal of pollutants, using simple management and low cost. The results suggest that applying 50 µM of GA3 to the development of Tifton 85 bermudagrass provides higher dry matter yield and removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium for the first crop cycle in CWs. However, in the second crop cycle, the application of GA3 had no effect on dry matter production and nutrient removal by Tifton 85 bermudagrass in CWs.

Metabolites and Biological Activities of Thymus zygis, Thymus pulegioides, and Thymus fragrantissimus Grown under Organic Cultivation.

Thymus plants are marketed for diverse usages because of their pleasant odor, as well as high nutritional value and wealth of health-promoting phytochemicals. In this study, Thymuszygis, Thymuspulegioides, and Thymusfragrantissimus grown under organic cultivation regime were characterized regarding nutrients and phenolic compounds. In addition, the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of these species were screened. The plants were particularly notable for their high K/Na ratio, polyunsaturated fatty acids content and low omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids ratios, which are valuable features of a healthy diet. Caffeic acid and/or its derivatives, mainly rosmarinic acid and caffeoyl rosmarinic acid, represented the majority of the phenolic constituents of these plants, although they were less representative in T. pulegioides, which in turn was the richest in flavones. The latter species also exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity (DPPH● EC50 of 9.50 ± 1.98 µg/mL and reducing power EC50 of 30.73 ± 1.48 µg/mL), while T. zygis was the most active towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, the results suggest that the three thyme plants grown in organic farming are endowed with valuable metabolites that give them high commercial value for applications in different industries.

Routine Monitoring of Sodium and Phosphorus Removal in Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Patients Treated with Continuous Ambulatory PD (CAPD), Automated PD (APD) or Combined CAPD+APD.

BACKGROUND: Adequate removal of sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P) is of paramount importance for patients with dialysis-dependent kidney disease can easily quantified in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Some studies suggest that automated PD (APD) results in lower Na and P removal. METHODS: In this study we retrospectively analysed our data on Na and P removal in PD patients after implementation of a routine monitoring in 2011. Patients were stratified in those treated with continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD, n=24), automated PD (APD, n=23) and APD with one bag change (CAPD+APD, n=10). Until 2015 we collected time-varying data on Na and P removal from each patient (median 5 [interquartile range 4-8] values). RESULTS: Peritoneal Na and P removal (mmol per 24h ± standard deviation) was 102 ± 48 and 8 ± 2 in the CAPD, 90 ± 46 and 9 ± 3 in the APD and 126 ± 39 and 13 ± 2 in the CAPD+APD group (ANOVA P=0.141 and <0.001). Taking renal excretion into account total Na and P removal (mmol per 24h) was 221 ± 65 and 16 ± 5 in the CAPD, 189 ± 58 and 17 ± 6 in the APD and 183 ± 38 and 16 ± 6 in the CAPD+APD group (P=0.107 and 0.764). Over time, peritoneal removal of Na but not that of P increased in all groups. In patients with modifications of PD treatment, Na but not P removal was significantly increased over-time. CONCLUSIONS: Overall Na and P removal were similar with different PD modalities. Individualized adjustments of PD prescription including icodextrin use or higher glucose concentration can improve Na removal while P removal is mainly determined by the dialysate volume.

Evaluation of two hybrid poplar clones as constructed wetland plant species for treating saline water high in boron and selenium, or waters only high in boron.

Wetland mesocosms were constructed to assess two hybrid poplar clones (Populustrichocarpa×P. deltoides×P. nigra '345-1' and '347-14') for treating saline water high in boron (B) and selenium (Se), and a hydroponic experiment was performed to test the B tolerance and B accumulation in both clones. In the mesocosm experiment, clone 345-1 exhibited no toxic symptoms at an EC of 10mScm-1, while clone 347-14 showed slight toxic symptoms at 7.5mScm-1. The removal percentages of B, Se, sodium (Na), and chloride (Cl) ranged from 26.7-45.6%, 50-69.4%, 18.4-24.0%, and 15.8-23.2%, respectively, by clone 345-1, and from 22.9-29.4%, 31.7-43.8%, 16.5-24.2%, and 14.9-23.9%, respectively, by clone 347-1. In the hydroponic experiment, B toxic symptoms were observed at treatments of 150 and 200mg B L-1 for clones 345-1 and 347-14, respectively. The greatest leaf B concentrations of 3699 and 1913mgkg-1 were found in clone 345-1 and clone 347-14, respectively. The translocation factor (TF) of clone 347-14 was less than clone 345-1. Clone 345-1 only showed significantly greater (P<0.05) B removal percentages than clone 347-14 when B treatment was <20mg B L-1. In conclusion, both tested poplar clones competitively accumulated and removed B and Se in constructed wetlands.

The Use of a Sea Salt-based Spray for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Novel Concept.

Several patients present to wound healing specialists seeking a natural or alternative medical approach to their wounds. The purpose of this prospective, case-cohort study of 10 patients was to evaluate the use of Oceanzyme Wound Care Spray (Ocean Aid, Inc, Boynton Beach, FL) in improving healing in diabetic foot ulcers during a 12-week period. This product contains water purified by reverse osmosis, coral reef sea salt, lysozyme, and sodium benzoate. The primary endpoint was wound closure, and secondary endpoints were infection rate and wound area reduction. Overall, 2 patients healed, 2 withdrew, and the remaining 6 had an average of 73% reduction in wound area. While more study is needed, the use of this sea salt-based spray may provide a viable alternative for patients seeking a natural therapy for their wound care.

[Characteristics and mechanism of sodium removal by the synergistic action of flue gas and waste solid].

The carbon dioxide (CO2) in flue gas was used to remove the sodium in the red mud (RM) , a kind of alkaline solid waste generated during alumina production. The reaction characteristics and mechanism of sodium removal by the synergistic action of CO2 and RM were studied with different medium pH, reaction time and temperature. It was demonstrated that the remove of sodium by RM was actually the result of the synergistic action of sodium-based solid waste in RM with the CO2-H2O and OH(-)-CO2 systems. The sodium removal efficiency was correlated with pH, reaction temperature and time. The characteristics of RM before and after sodium removal were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the results showed that the alkaline materials in the red mud reacted with CO2 and the sodium content in solid phases decreased significantly after reaction. The sodium removal efficiency could reach up to 70% with scientific procedure. The results of this research will offer an efficient way for low-cost sodium removal.

Ions and amino acid analysis of Cyperus articulatus L. (Cyperaceae) extracts and the effects of the latter on oocytes expressing some receptors.

Extracts from rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus L. (Cyperaceae) used in Africa and Amazonia to treat many diseases has been shown to possess sedative and anticonvulsant properties. The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism of action of Cyperus articulatus extracts. In Xenopus oocytes expressing receptors, using electrophysiological measurement, extracts of rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus (300 microg/ml) inhibited 50% of the EC(50) and EC(80) of glutamate (1.3 and 2.9 microM, respectively) induced inward current through hNMDAR1A/2A receptors. Extracts induced very small current through rGluR3 receptors. The largest current induced by the extract (30 mg/ml) represents 128% of the EC(100) of glutamate induced inward current, through rGluR3 receptors. The excess 28% current could be induced by aspartate and/or glutamate in the extracts. The effect on Xenopus oocytes expressing heteromeric GABA(B)R1b/R2 receptors and rectifying potassium channels (Kir3) is clear. A decoction and water extract of Cyperus articulatus induced a large inward current that represented 71 and 57% (respectively) of the EC(100) of gaba (30 microM) induced inward current. The water extract induced also a large current through rectifying potassium channels (Kir3). Part of the current induced through GABA(B) receptors could be related to rectifying potassium channels and GABA(B) site receptors. Cyperus articulatus extracts possessed components that could decrease excitation (NMDA receptor antagonists) and increase inhibition (GABA(B) receptor agonists) in the central nervous system.

Mineral content of the honey produced in Zulia state, Venezuela.

The mineral content of the honey produced in five zones of the Zulia state, Venezuela, during dry and rainy seasons was determined. The analyzed elements were: sodium, potassium (by emission spectroscopy), calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese (by atomic absorption spectroscopy), phosphorus (phosphate ions, by colorimetric method), and ash content of raw honey samples directly collected from different beekeepers. The mean values for Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and P were 353+84; 1774+138; 237+66; 52+24; 0.76+0.43; 13.5+10.23; 0.92+0.42 and 1642+323 mg/kg respectively. The mean ash content was 0.431+0.15%. Potassium was the most abundant of the elements determined. This results confirm that Zulian honey can be considered a good source of minerals.