Aftershocks of the Samarco disaster: diminished growth and increased metal content of Raphanus sativuscultivated in soil with mining tailings

The collapse of the Fundão tailings dam of the Samarco mining complex in Mariana, Brazil, was the largest mining disaster in the world to date with many socio-economic and environmental impacts. Soil affected by mining tailings was severely altered with negative impacts for agriculture. We tested whether diluting mining tailings with organic soil would eliminate or at least attenuate the ecotoxic effects on plant development and performance. We cultivated radish, Raphanus sativus,in substrates containing different proportions of mining tailings and organic soil: pure tailings (T100%); 2) tailings75%+ soil25%(T75%); 3) tailings50%+ soil50%(T50%); 4) tailings25%+ soil75%(T25%), and 5) pure organic soil (Soil100%, control). There were large differences in soil quality parameters between the 100% tailings treatment (T100%) and the control (Soil100%), as well as for some parameters in the most diluted treatment -T25%(Ca2+, Fe, Mn) in relation to the controltreatment. Although dilution of the tailings soil improved radish development, there was lower radish productivity (leaf area, total biomass, and root/tuber biomass) than for pure soil (control). There were also significantly higher amounts of bioaccumulated metals in radish tubers grown with tailings, even when grown in T25%for Fe content and in T75%for Mn content. These results present a worrisome scenario for human communities in the region of the Doce river, as human consumption of crops produced in soil contaminated with tailingsis not recommended due to potential toxicological effects from high metal concentrations.(AU)

Clinical study on Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction combined with glutamine for treatment of patients with septic secondary paralytic ileus / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction combined with glutamine for treatment of patients with sepsis complicated with paralytic ileus. Methods Sixty patients with septic ileus admitted to the Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU) of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from August 2017 to January 2019 were enrolled. The Western medicine treatment group (30 cases) received routine Western medical methods including intravenous drip of glutamine, etc. for symptomatic treatment, and the Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction group (30 cases), based on the treatment in the Western medicine group, were additionally given the decoction by nasal feeding and retention enema twice a day, once 100 mL with the course of 7 days in both groups. The herbal prescription of Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction contained rhubarb 24 g (decocted later), sodium sulfate 15 g (mixed with water to take), magnoliae cortex 15 g, orange frui 10 g, aucklandiae 10 g, henan achyranthes root 10 g and radish seed 15 g, constituting one dose, two doses one day given to a patient, making one dose of herbal medicine to 200 mL of decoction for nasal feeding and retention enema, once 100 mL respectively, twice a day for 7 days. After treatment, the changes of survival rate in ICU, the total effective rate and the level of procalcitonin (PCT) were observed in both groups. Results After treatment, the total effective rate in Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction group was significantly higher than that in the Western medicine treatment group [83.33% (25/30) vs. 66.67% (20/30), P < 0.05], and the ICU 7-day survival rate in Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction group was also significantly higher than that in Western medicine treatment group [90.00% (27/30) vs. 76.67% (23/30), P < 0.05]. After treatment, the levels of PCT (μg/L) in both groups were significantly decreased compared with those before the treatment (Western medicine treatment group: 3.38±1.72 vs. 6.43±3.29, and Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction group: 2.39±1.24 vs. 6.78±2.31, both P < 0.05), and the degree of decrease of PCT in radish seed chengqi decoction group was more obvious than that in Western medicine treatment group (μg/L: 2.39±1.24 vs. 3.38±1.72, P < 0.05). Conclusion Applying alanyl glutamine combined with Radish Seed Chengqi Decoction for treatment of patients with sepsis complicated with paralytic ileus can significantly improve the clinical symptoms, reduce the PCT level and elevate the survival rate of patients.

Effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) on the phagocytic and pinocytic activity of murine macrophages in vitro.

Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) is a widely used herb in Ayurvedic system of medicine known to possess immunomodulatory properties. The present study was aimed to study the activation of macrophages after in vitro guduchi treatment. The aqueous extract of T. cordifolia was found to enhance phagocytosis and pinocytosis in vitro. The rate of pinocytosis by macrophages when measured by uptake of horseradish peroxidase was significantly increased after guduchi treatment as compared to medium alone. The macrophages demonstrated an increased phagocytosis to non-infective microorganisms (heat killed yeast) and live infective microorganisms (E. coli) after guduchi treatment. The results demonstrate that Guduchi enhances macrophage activation as analyzed by cytochemical parameters.

Sulforaphene in Raphanus sativus L.var.caudatus Alef increased in late-bolting stage as well as anticancer activity

Objectives:To evaluate the concentration differences of sulforaphene and sulforaphane at various ages and in different pairs of Raphanus sativus L.var.caudatus with respect to their potential cancer preventive effect on HCT116 colon cancer cells.Methods:FTIR-ATR and GC-MS were used to characterize the isothiocyanates in the plant extracts followed by HPLC for quantification.Antiproliferation and apoptosis induction were determined by using MTT assay and flow cytometry,respectively.Results:The respective rank of anticancer activity ofRaphanus sativus were as follows:vegetative (3 week) ＜ older rosette (4 week) ＜ early-bolting (5 week) ＜ senescence (7 week) ＜ late-bolting (6 week).The low to high concentration of sulforaphene and sulforaphane occurred in the same stage order.Conclusions:The reproductive parts (flower,pod,and dry seed) of Raphanus sativus have the greatest isothiocyanate concentration,evidenced by a sulforaphene concentration higher than the sulforaphane.This result should inform the selection of the most appropriate harvesting stage and plant part for use as a potential chemopreventive agent.

Sulforaphene in Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus Alef increased in late-bolting stage as well as anticancer activity

Objectives To evaluate the concentration differences of sulforaphene and sulforaphane at various ages and in different parts of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus with respect to their potential cancer preventive effect on HCT116 colon cancer cells. Methods FTIR–ATR and GC–MS were used to characterize the isothiocyanates in the plant extracts followed by HPLC for quantification. Antiproliferation and apoptosis induction were determined by using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Results The respective rank of anticancer activity of Raphanus sativus were as follows: vegetative (3 week) < older rosette (4 week) < early-bolting (5 week) < senescence (7 week) < late-bolting (6 week). The low to high concentration of sulforaphene and sulforaphane occurred in the same stage order. Conclusions The reproductive parts (flower, pod, and dry seed) of Raphanus sativus have the greatest isothiocyanate concentration, evidenced by a sulforaphene concentration higher than the sulforaphane. This result should inform the selection of the most appropriate harvesting stage and plant part for use as a potential chemopreventive agent.

Antimicrobial activity of chitosan coatings and films against Listeria monocytogenes on black radish / Actividad antimicrobiana de coberturas y películas de quitosano contra Listeria monocytogenes en rábano negro

The antibacterial activity of chitosan coatings prepared with acetic or lactic acid, as well as of composite chitosan-gelatin films prepared with essential oils, was evaluated in fresh shredded black radish samples inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 and L. monocytogenes ATCC 19112 during seven days of storage at 4 °C. The chitosan coating prepared with acetic acid showed the most effective antibacterial activity. All tested formulations of chitosan films exhibited strong antimicrobial activity on the growth of L. monocytogenes on black radish, although a higher inhibition of pathogens was achieved at higher concentrations of chitosan. The antimicrobial effect of chitosan films was even more pronounced with the addition of essential oils. Chitosan-gelatin films with thyme essential oils showed the most effective antimicrobial activity. A reduction of 2.4 log10 CFU/g for L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115 and 2.1 log10 CFU/g for L. monocytogenes ATCC 19112 was achieved in the presence of 1% chitosan film containing 0.2% of thyme essential oil after 24 h of storage.

Se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana de coberturas del quitosano y de películas compuestas de quitosano-gelatina en muestras frescas de rábano negro cortado inoculadas con las cepas de Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 y ATCC 19112, almacenadas durante 7 días a 4 °C. Las primeras fueron preparadas con ácido acético o ácido láctico, las segundas con aceites esenciales. Las coberturas de quitosano preparadas con ácido acético mostraron la actividad antimicrobiana más eficaz. Todas las formulaciones de películas de quitosano exploradas mostraron una fuerte actividad antimicrobiana sobre el crecimiento de L. monocytogenes, aunque la mayor inhibición de estos patógenos se logró con las mayores concentraciones de quitosano. La actividad antimicrobiana de las películas de quitosano fue mayor con la adición de aceite esencial. Las películas de quitosano-gelatina con aceite esencial del tomillo fueron las que mostraron la actividad antimicrobiana más eficiente. A las 24 h de almacenamiento, la película con 1% de quitosano y 0,2% de aceite esencial de tomillo produjo una reducción de 2,4 log10 UFC/g en L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115, y de 2,1 log10 UFC/g en L. monocytogenes ATCC 19112.

Phytotoxic activity of different plant parts of Drimys brasiliensis miers on germination and seedling development / Atividade fitotóxica de diferentes partes de Drimys brasiliensis miers na germinação e desenvolvimento de plântulas

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of aqueous extracts from mature leaves, stem bark and roots of Drimys brasiliensis Miers on germination and initial seedling development of two target species, Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) and Raphanus sativus L. (radish). The aqueous extract was prepared in a proportion of 10 g of plant powder, dissolved in 100 mL of distilled water, resulting in a 10% extract concentrate. Dilutions were made with distilled water to 7.5; 5.0; 2.5% and 0% (control). Germination and seedling growth bioassays were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions. The different plant parts exerted inhibitory effects on germination and early growth of wheat and radish, however, the extract obtained from the leaves was more effective in inhibiting the germination of radish. All plant parts of D. brasiliensis may constitute a promising source in the search for compounds capable of acting as natural phytotoxins.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial fitotóxico dos extratos aquosos de folhas maduras, cascas do caule e raízes de Drimys brasiliensis Miers sobre a germinação e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de duas espécies receptoras, Triticum aestivumL. (trigo) e Raphanus sativus L. (rabanete). A partir do pó de cada material vegetal foram preparados extratos-tratamentos na proporção de 10 g de material vegetal para 100 mL de água destilada, produzindo-se a concentração de 10%. A partir desta, foram feitas diluições em água destilada para 7,5; 5,0; 2,5%, e 0% (controle). Bioensaios de germinação de diásporos e crescimento de plântulas foram desenvolvidos em condições controladas de laboratório. Os diferentes órgãos de D. brasiliensis exerceram efeitos inibitórios sobre os processos de germinação e crescimento inicial de trigo e rabanete, porém o extrato obtido a partir das folhas foi mais eficiente na inibição do processo de germinação do rabanete. Todos os órgãos de D. brasiliensis podem constituir uma fonte promissora na busca de compostos capazes de atuar como fitotoxinas naturais.

A New Method for Accurate Determination of Peroxidase Activity Based on Fluorescence Decrease of Guaiacol / 分析化学

At present the most common colorimetry for the activity determination of the peroxidase ( POD) is based on the detection of the absorbance of product at 470 nm in a reaction system of the H2 O2/POD/guaiacol ( GA) , but the shortcoming of the method is that the formed product is not stable and there is the serious adsorption phenomenon on the cell. To solve this problem, a new method was established for accurate determination of POD activity based on the fluorescent feature of GA. By using standard solutions of horseradish peroxidase as the test samples and under these optimum conditions such as 0. 5 mmol/L of GA, 0. 5 mmol/L of H2 O2 , pH 6, 0. 05 mol/L of phosphate buffer solution and the reaction temperature of 20℃, the sample volume was only consumed 20 microlitre at a time, the linear response range was 500-60000 U/L ( r=0 . 9993 ) , the detection limit was 385 U/L and relative standard deviation was ≤2 . 4% ( n=11 ) . The comparisons for the determination results of the POD activity in the white radish’s extraction solutions were conducted among our method (9714±132 U/L) and the colorimetric method (9926±352 U/L) as well as the recirculating-catalytic flow analysis ( 9608±456 U/L ) . The results showed that the mutual consistency is better.

Effects of White Radish (Raphanus sativus) Enzyme Extract on Hepatotoxicity

Raphanus sativus (Cruciferaceae), commonly known as radish is widely available throughout the world. From antiquity it has been used in folk medicine as a natural drug against many toxicants. The present study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of radish (Raphanus sativus) enzyme extract (REE) in vitro and in vivo test. The IC50 values of REE in human liver derived HepG2 cells was over 5,000 microg/ml in tested maximum concentration. The effect of REE to protect tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. REE showed their hepatoprotective activities on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity and the EC50 value was 1,250 microg/ml. Silymarin, an antihepatotoxic agent used as a positive control exhibited 59.7% hepatoprotective activitiy at 100 microg/ml. Moreover, we tested the effect of REE on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity in rats. REE at dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg and silymarin at dose of 50 mg/kg were orally administered to CCl4-treated rats. The results showed that REE and silymarin significantly reduced the elevated levels of serum enzyme markers induced by CCl4. The biochemical data were supported by evaluation with liver histopathology. These findings suggest that REE, can significantly diminish hepatic damage by toxic agent such as tacrine or CCl4.

The antihypertensive effect of ethyl acetate extract of radish leaves in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a cruciferous vegetable, and its leaves have antioxidant and anticancer properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethyl acetate extracts from radish leaves on hypertension in 11-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The SHRs were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 rats each on the basis of initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and were treated with oral administration of radish leaf extract (0, 30, or 90 mg/kg body weight [bw], respectively) for 5 weeks. Six Wistar rats were used as normotensive controls. The amount of the radish leaf extract had no effect on body weight. The SBP of the SHRs showed a decreasing trend with the consumption of the radish leaf extract. In the third week, the SBP of the group fed 90 mg extract/kg bw reduced from 214 mmHg to 166 mmHg and was significantly lower than that of the normotensive and hypertensive controls. The extract did not show a significant effect on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in the serum, kidney, and lung. The extract increased the concentration of NO in serum and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and catalase in red blood cells (RBCs). The serum concentrations of Na+ and K+ were not significantly different between all groups. However, the fecal concentrations of Na+ and K+ increased; the fecal concentrations of Na+ and K+ for the normotensive and hypertensive controls were not different. Urinary excretion of Na+ was higher in the normotensive Wistar rats than in the SHRs, while that of K+ was not significantly different. These findings indicate that consumption of radish leaves might have had antihypertensive effects in SHRs by increasing the serum concentration of NO and fecal concentration of Na+ and enhancing antioxidant activities.

Desempenho de cultivares transgênicas de soja em sucessão a culturas de inverno em semeadura direta / Performance of transgenic soybean cultivars in succession to winter cover crops under no tillage system

Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar o desempenho de cultivares de soja transgênica em sucessão a culturas de inverno na implantação do sistema de semeadura direta. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram representadas por cinco espécies cultivadas no inverno, aveia branca, nabo forrageiro, cevada, trigo e ervilha forrageira e área de pousio. As subparcelas foram constituídas por seis cultivares de soja (BRS 243 RR, BRS 244 RR, BRS 245 RR, BRS 247 RR, BRS 255 RR e BRS 256 RR). Para as características agronômicas e os componentes de produção da cultura da soja indicou que a interação culturas de inverno x cultivares de soja foi significativa para a população final de plantas, número de nódulos por planta, massa de matéria seca de nódulos por planta, número de vagens por planta, número de grãos por vagem e produtividade de grãos. O tratamento de pousio proporcionou os menores valores de nodulação da cultura da soja. Para produtividade de grãos, houve diferenças entre as culturas de inverno antecessoras para o cultivar BRS 243 RR, sendo que, a aveia proporcionou maiores valores.

The objective of this research was to evaluate crop yield and some characteristics and yield components of transgenic soybean cultivars sown after different winter cover crops in the first year under no tillage system. The experimental design was the completely randomized block with split plots and four replications. The main plots consisted of five winter cover crops, white oat (Avena sativa L.), forage turnip (Raphanus sativus L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and ground pea (Pisum sativum L.) and an area under fallow (spontaneous vegetation). The subplots consisted of six soybean cultivars (BRS 243 RR, BRS 245 RR, BRS 247 RR, BRS 255 RR, BRS 256 RR and BRS 244 RR). Variance analysis for agronomic characteristics showed that soybean yield components were influenced by the interaction between winter crop and soybean cultivar. Thus, final population, number of nodes and pods per plant, nodes dry matter per plant, number of grains per pod and grain yield were affected significantly. When soybean nodulation was evaluated, the treatment with the area under fallow showed lower values. There was difference among winter crops for BRS 243 RR grain yield, white oat showed the highest values.

Antihypertensive Properties of Dried Radish Leaves Powder in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The study aim was to investigate the antihypertensive effect after oral supplementation of dried radish leaves powder (DRLP). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured by spectrophotometric assay. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats (Wistar) by the tail cuff method after a 4-week diet with DRLP at the level of 2.5% or 5%. The supplementation of DRLP decreased SBP of SHR although the 5% supplementation level did not show any more pronounced effect than the 2.5% level did. The decrease in the SBP observed for both 2.5% and 5% DRLP was accompanied by significant increases of the urinary Na and K excretion. The DRLP supplementation showed a potent ACE-inhibitory activity in pulmonary tissue from both hypertensive and normotensive rats. However, the DRLP supplementation did not affect the SBP in normotensive rats. These results indicated that DRLP exerted an antihypertensive effect in SHR due to the decreased ACE activity and increased urinary Na excretion.

Radish Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase Gene Structure and Upstream Regulatory Sequence Analysis / 生物化学与生物物理进展

A novel radish RsPHGPx cDNA, which encodes a functional phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathioneperoxidase (PHGPx) protein, was identified in the previous work. In the study genomic organization and the upstream regulatory sequence analysis of this gene was presented. Southern blot analysis showed that RsPHGPx gene existed in radish genome in manner of single copy. Moreover, a 3.3 kb genomic DNA fragment of RsPHGPx gene was isolated by combination of common PCR and genome-walking method. Sequence analysis on this genomic fragment demonstrated that RsPHGPx gene consists of seven exons separated by six introns, and suggested that a short 5'-flanking sequence immediately before the exon 1 should be the putative RsPHGPx promoter region, which is proceeded by the upstream neighboring biotin synthase gene. Cis-acting elements search showed that the putative promoter contains elements responsive to hormones (eg. E-Box and W-Box), abiotic stresses (eg. MYB and MYC binding sites), and light (Box Ⅱ and Ⅰ-Box), etc. Northern blot analysis indicated that the expression of RsPHGPx was subjected to up-regulation of chilling and down-regulation of ABA and successive illumination (in etiolated seedlings), implying the regulatory roles of some predicted elements. However the up-regulation effect of herbicide paraquat, which can induce oxidative stress, suggested the presence of some unknown elements in the promoter region. This is the first report on gene structure and upstream regulatory sequence analysis in reported plant PHGPx genes, which will be a prerequisite to understand regulatory mechanism of PHGPx gene expression in plants.

Micropreparation of a Native PHGPx Protein From Radish Seedlings by Immunoaffinity Chromatography / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Radish phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (RsPHGPx) was identified as a mitochondrion-targeting PHGPx in previous work. To determine its cleavage site of the targeting peptide, the immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) purification approach was carried out to isolate the native RsPHGPx protein.Polyclonal antibodies directed against recombinant RsPHGPx were raised in rabbit. Monospecific anti-RsPHGPx antibodies were isolated by means of affinity chromatography using the recombinant RsPHGPx as affinity ligand, and employed in assembling an IAC column. A single-step, highly specific and easy-to-use protocol was developed for purification of the active RsPHGPx protein through the assembled IAC column. Using this approach, a specific protein of the expected molecular size was obtained from the mitochondrial fraction of radish seedlings. Western blot analysis showed that it could be specifically recognized by anti-RsPHGPx antibodies, and an enzyme activity assay indicated that it exhibited significant PHGPx activity, suggesting that the purified protein should be the desired native RsPHGPx. These results will lead to clarification of the targeting peptide and the active mature protein of RsPHGPx and will be helpful to further probe the intracellular localization mechanism and biological fun ction of this plant PHGPx.

HORSE-RADISH PEROXIDASE HRP-LABELING PHOTORECEPTOR CELL TRANSPLANTATION / 解剖学报

Objective We observe the grafted Wistar rat's photoreceptor cell labeled by Horse\|radish peroxidase (HRP) in the receptor. Methods The healthy Wistar rat's photoreceptor cells were labeled and grafted into the sub\|retinal space of the left eye of the Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rat by outer\|path way. Two weeks later, the eyes of the RCS rats were stained by cyto\|chemistry method and processed for light microscopic. Results After two weeks of transplantation, the transplanted photoreceptor cells survived. HRP\|labeling photoreceptor cell was stained brown and ranged orderly.Conclusion\ These results suggest that we can observe the grafted Wistar rat's photoreceptor cell in the RCS rat's retina by transplanting the HRP\|labeling photoreceptor cells.\;[