Thermodynamic and kinetic insights into plant-mediated detoxification of lead, cadmium, and chromium from aqueous solutions by chemically modified Salvia moorcroftiana leaves.

Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects for the biosorptive removal of Pb, Cd, and Cr metals from water using Chemically Modified Leaves of Salvia moorcroftiana (CMSML) were determined. Different parameters including pH, temperature, metal's initial concentration, biomass dosage, and contact time were optimized. Optimum biosorptions of Pb, Cd, and Cr were attained at pH values of 6.0, 7.0, and 3.0 respectively. Batch experiments showed maximum removal of both Pb and Cd at 40 °C and that of Cr at 30 °C. Biosorption capability of CMSML was observed to decrease with raising temperature. Optimal equilibrium times for Pb, Cd, and Cr uptake were 120, 60, and 120 min respectively. Based on the values of regression correlation coefficients (R2), the current data is explained better by applying Langmuir isotherms than the Freundlich model. Maximum biosorbent capabilities (qmax) for Pb, Cd, and Cr were approximately 270.27, 100.00, and 93.45 mg/g respectively. Thermodynamically, removal of all the three metal ions was shown to be exothermic and spontaneous.

HLA-DR alleles among Pakistani patients of coeliac disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether certain DR alleles might also contribute to the genetic susceptibility among Coeliac disease patients in Pakistan. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at the Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from October 2011 to January 2012, and analysed 25 children diagnosed to have coeliac disease as per the criteria set by the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, which included histopathological alterations in duodenal biopsies, clinical response to gluten withdrawal, and presence of anti-endomyseal antibodies. Patients were compared with a group of 150 healthy subjects. Dioxyribonucleic acid was extracted from peripheral blood collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.K3. Human leukocyte antigen DRB1 typing was carried out on allele level (DRB1*01--DRB1*16) using sequence specific primers. Human leukocyte antigen type was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis and results were recorded. Phenotype frequency of various alleles among the patient group and the control group was calculated by direct counting, and significance of their association was determined by Fisher Exact Test. RESULTS: A total of 11 (44%) female paediatric coeliac patients in age range 1-9 (mean 7.2 +/- 4.8 years) and 14 (56%) male paediatric patients in the age range 6-14 (mean 8.6 +/- 5.1 years) were genotyped for HLA-DRB1 loci. A statistically significant positive association of the disease with HLA-DRB1*03 (n = 23; 92% versus n=31; 21% in controls, p < 0.01) was observed. CONCLUSION: HLA-DRB1*03 is associated with increased risk of developing coeliac disease.