Influence of clay minerals on selenium toxicity to algae

In this study, selenite was found to be acutely toxic to the fresh water algae Anabaena constricta and Chlorella ellipsoidea. However, the latter was more tolerant. Severe reduction in chlorophyll a content was significant reaching 65.2%, 61.4% for Anabaena and Chlorella respectively at 30mg L[-1] Se after 24 hrs incubation. The EC50 values were: 138 mg SeL-1, 141 mg Se L[-1] at one day; 120 mg Se L[-1], 126 mg Se L[-1] at 3 days; 91 mg Se L[-1], 100 mg Se L[-1] at 5 days and 67 mg Se L[-1], 70 mg Se L[-1] at 7 days for Anabaena and Chlorella, respectively. Addition of the clay minerals kaolinite and bentonite decreased selenite toxicity considerably, bentonite was more effective. The EC50 values for combined effect of selenium and either kaolinite or bentonite in reducing growth after 7 days incubation were 76,83 mg Se L[-1] for Anabaena and 73, 81 mg Se L[-1] for Chlorella. Phosphorus uptake by Chlorella was enhanced and went parallel with a concomitant elevation in pH values of the medium with increasing selenite concentrations, and observation which was controversely to that exhibited in Anabaena cultures. Acid and alkalize phosphatase activity decreased in both organisms with increasing Se concentrations

Interactive effects of salinity with some hormonal and non hormonal growth substances on chlorella fusca I- biomass and photosynthetic pigments

The response of Chlorella fusca to different salinization treatment was followed. Dry weight and pigment concentrations were stimulated with salinization up to the levels of 80 mM NaCl, beyond which they were retarded. Also, growth and pigment contents were stimulated at 10-6, 10-5 M concentrations of IAA, kinetin, GA3 and thiourea relevant to control. These chemicals counterated the adverse effect of salinity on Chlorella cells. IAA was the most effective substance followed by kinetin, GA3 and thiourea

Interactive effects of salinity with some hormonal and non-hormonal growth substances on chlorella fusca II- nitrate reductase activity, proline and protein contents

Sodium chloride at 320 mM increased proline content but suppressed protein accumulation and nitrate reductase activity of Chlorella fusca. 10-5 M, 10-6 M of GA3, IAA, kinetin and thiourea increased protein, proline and NRA of the algal cells relevant to control. The four used growth substances reacted in antagonism with NaCl in the same parameters. In counteracting, the adverse effect of salinity, IAA was more effective, while thiourea was the least effective one

immunological study of certain tumour markers in breast cancer

One of the significant recent advances in cancer diagnosis has been the discovery of several soluble tumour associated substances which can be assayed in patient's serum. The serum level of carcinoembryonic antigen [CEM], alpha1 acid glycoprotein [alpha1 AG] and complement fraction 3 [C[3]] are changed following breast carcinoma and such change can be used as a screening test for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In the present study, forty patients were studied. Twenty patients were suffering from cancer breast and the other twenty patients were suffering from benign tumours in the breast. CEA, alpha1 AG and C[3] were determined using radial immunodiffusion technique for alpha1 AG and C[3], while CEA was determined by the enzyme immunoassay [ELISA]. Serum CEA, alpha1 AG and C[3] determination showed a significant increase in cancer breast patients whereas significant difference was detected in the serum level of alpha1 AG and C[3] between the benign breast lesions patients and control group. A significant difference was detected in seum CEA, level between benign group and control group. It is tempting to postulate that serum level of CEA, alpha1 AG and C[3] may be used as biological markers for diagnosis of breast cancer