Municipal solid waste landfill leachate induced cytotoxicity in root tips of Vicia faba: Environmental Risk posed by non-engineered landfill

Landfills are considered the main option for dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) all over the world, but these landfills are mostly non-engineered. The decomposition of solid waste in the landfill and rainwater penetration into the decomposing waste produces leachate that contains dissolved organic and inorganic compounds, heavy metals, suspended particles, and hazardous substances. Leachate migration in the environment may pose serious health risks to organisms exposed. Hence, the present study explored the cytotoxic potential of landfill leachate collected in different seasons from the Okhla landfill site, Delhi, India. Cytotoxicity of leachate samples was evaluatedby cell apoptosis and ultrastructural observation based on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the cells of root tips of vicia faba seedlings treated with the leachates collected in summer, winter and monsoon in a time and dose dependent manner. Leachate collected in all the three seasons induced apoptosis in cells of root tips of vicia faba that increased in a time and dose dependent manner when compared to control. The apoptosis was highest in the samples treated with leachate collected in the summer season, followed by winter and monsoon. It was further confirmed with TEM images that there was induction of apoptotic-like morphological changes in the root cells treated with landfill leachate when compared with the control. The present study indicates that municipal solid waste leachate is very toxic and it should be treated before disposing it to the environment.

Evaluation of serum interleukin 6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha levels, and their association with various non-immunological parameters in renal transplant recipients

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Renal transplant rejection involves both immunological and non-immunological factors. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between immunological factors, such as serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and non-immunological parameters, such as age, serum creatinine (SCr), creatinine clearance (CrCl) and dyslipidaemia, in renal transplant recipients (RTRs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 90 RTRs and 90 healthy controls. Biochemical parameters, including serum IL-6 and TNF-α, were estimated using standard protocols. CrCl was calculated using the Cockroft-Gault equation, and the type of rejection was confirmed on biopsy. Student's t-test and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows version 15.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-αwere significantly higher in RTRs than in the control group (p < 0.001). These parameters were also found to be significantly different between the transplant rejection (TR) and transplant stable (TS) groups (p < 0.001). CrCl was significantly decreased in the TR group when compared to the TS group (p < 0.001). The two cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, correlated significantly with all metabolic parameters, such as SCr, CrCl and dyslipidaemia. Multiple regression analysis showed that TNF-α and CrCl were the strongest predictors of IL-6.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We conclude that immunological factors, as well as non-immunological factors such as CrCl, SCr and dyslipidaemia, play important roles in the pathogenesis of graft rejection and renal graft dysfunction.</p>

Bilateral congenital lacrimal fistula in down syndrome

Congenital lacrimal fistulae are rare in Down syndrome and bilateral presentation is very unusual. It can be associated with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We report a 3-year-old female with Down syndrome who presented with watering and discharge from both eyes and bilateral fistulous openings present inferonasal to the medial canthus. Upon examination, the lacrimal sac regurgitation test was positive on both sides. Our case report documents a distinctive case of bilateral congenital lacrimal fistulae in association with Down syndrome. It was managed successfully by primary fistulectomy and nasolacrimal duct probing