Assessment of heavy metal stress in the adaptation strategies of Tulipa luanica growing on serpentine soil through some biomarkers in comparison to Tulipa kosovarica.

The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of how Tulipa luanica adapts to growth in soil with higher concentrations of heavy metals and to assess potential toxic effects using various biomarkers, in comparison to Tulipa kosovarica, a typical serpentine species. For this purpose, we analyzed the concentrations of Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the soil, as well as their accumulation in plants and their associated stress effects. The results indicate that, despite the presence of some metals in very high concentrations in the soil (Al, Fe, Mn, and Ni), they are translocated in minimal amounts within plant organs, particularly in T. luanica. Nearly all metals exhibited significantly higher concentrations in T. kosovarica when compared to T. luanica. Based on the analysis of biomarkers, it is apparent that T. luanica shows greater sensitivity to these conditions. This is evident through the decreased activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and levels of δ-aminolevulinic acid, malondialdehyde, and glutathione observed in T. luanica. It appears that T. luanica effectively restricts the absorption of metals in serpentine soils; however, it experiences oxidative stress induced by these metals, setting it apart from the more resilient T. kosovarica.

Risk assessment of heavy metal toxicity by sensitive biomarker δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) for onion plants cultivated in polluted areas in Kosovo.

Biomarkers allow an integrated risk assessment of heavy metal pollution effects in living organisms. In this study, the biochemical effects of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn pollution in agricultural soil and their accumulation in Alium cepa L. (onion) were evaluated with ALA-D enzyme response as a biomarker, along with δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and total chlorophyll contents in leaves of this plant. Soil samples were randomly selected from agricultural areas in two regions, Mitrovica and Obiliqi, which are considered the most industrially polluted regions in Kosovo. Results show that Pb and Zn concentrations in soil samples from Mitrovica (1953-2576 mg kg -1) and Obiliqi regions (138-179 mg kg -1) and their bioaccumulation levels in onion were significantly higher in comparison with the control group. There was an adverse negative correlation between Pb or Zn concentration and ALA-D activity and total chlorophyll content, and a positive correlation with ALA content. This study indicates that ALA-D activity can be used as a very sensitive biomarker for evaluation of heavy metal pollution. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals from soil polluted areas poses a threat for food contamination and public health.

Activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase at Ramonda nathaliae and Ramonda serbica plants during dehydration and rehydration.

INTRODUCTION: Ramonda nathaliae and Ramonda serbica are resurrection plants belonging to homoiochlorophyllous desiccation-tolerant angiosperms. Chlorophyll biosynthesis is one of the most important metabolic pathways to tolerate desiccation in these plant species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To better understand the early pathway steps of chlorophyll biosynthesis, we have analyzed the enzyme δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) and contents of δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and total chlorophyll as a final product during dehydration and rehydration stages for these plant species. RESULTS: Our results showed that the activity of ALA-D in R. nathaliae and R. serbica plants rapidly decreased during dehydration and in the final stage of desiccation the activity of this enzyme was decreased by 79% and 86%, respectively. After rehydration of plants, the ALA-D activity was fully restored. In contrast, the ALA content of both plant species significantly increased during desiccation and decreased after 48 hr of rewatering. In each stage of dehydration or rehydration, a significant negative correlation was established between ALA-D activity and ALA content in both plant species. CONCLUSIONS: Total chlorophyll content was preserved more in R. nathaliae than in R. serbica during desiccation. Moreover, ALA-D activity was decreased to a minimal level but preserved its function during desiccation, and this suggests one possible mechanism of desiccation tolerance to retain the chlorophyll of these plant species.

Concentration of some metals in soil and plant organs and their biochemical profiles in Tulipa luanica, T. kosovarica and T. albanica native plant species.

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of some metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ca and Mg) in soil of serpentine and limestone sites, their bioaccumulation and impact on some biochemical parameters in T. luanica, T. kosovarica and T. albanica plants. T. kosovarica and T. albanica grows in serpentine soil, while T. luanica grow in limestone soil. The research showed that concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni were significantly higher at serpentine soil sites in comparison with limestone sites, while concentrations of Pb, Cd, Co and Cr in bulbs, leaves and seeds were under the limit of detection. The concentration of Ni in plant samples of T. kosovarica was significantly higher in comparison with its concentration in T. albanica, but it was under the limit of detection in T. luanica. Moreover, concentrations of Al and Fe in leaves of T. kosovarica and T. albanica were higher in comparison with T. luanica. The concentration of Mg was significantly higher in T. kosovarica and T. albanica than in T. luanica. The δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, malondialdehyde and glutathione contents in leaves of T. luanica were higher in comparison with T. kosovarica and T. albanica. In addition, the amounts of total chlorophyll and δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in leaves of T. albanica were higher in comparison with T. kosovarica and T. luanica. Our findings show that target organs of metal accumulation in three Tulip species appears to be leaves > seeds > bulbs, while the biochemical parameters show that limestone sites represent a less stressful habitat for growing these plant species in comparison with serpentine sites.

Case report of cholelithiasis in a patient with type 1 Gaucher disease.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with type 1 Gaucher disease have been reported to be more likely to have cholelithiasis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A case of cholelithiasis in a patient with type 1 Gaucher disease; which is very intriguing to show this comorbidity. The case was the only known case with this pathology in time of diagnosis in our country (Kosovo). The patient is a 21-year old girl a known case of type 1 Gaucher disease, at the age of 8 years. The patient underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Chronic inflammatory changes and adhesions were obvious during surgery. DISCUSSION: Type 1 Gaucher disease patients have several risk factors for gallstone formation: increased biliary excretion of glucosylceramide, advanced liver disease and cirrhosis, splenomegaly, inborn error of metabolism, chronic systemic inflammation, T cell dysfunction, and insulin resistance" to risk factors. CONCLUSION: Gallstones and cholecystitis should be considered when abdominal symptoms and liver dysfunctions are seen in these patients. More studies are needed in especially Kosovo.