Growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus enhance maize tolerance to saline stress.

Climate change intensifies soil salinization and jeopardizes the development of crops worldwide. The accumulation of salts in plant tissue activates the defense system and triggers ethylene production thus restricting cell division. We hypothesize that the inoculation of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) producing ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase favors the development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), promoting the growth of maize plants under saline stress. We investigated the efficacy of individual inoculation of PGPB, which produce ACC deaminase, as well as the co-inoculation of PGPB with Rhizophagus clarus on maize plant growth subjected to saline stress. The isolates were acquired from the bulk and rhizospheric soil of Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze in a temporary pond located in Pernambuco State, Brazil. In the first greenhouse experiment, 10 halophilic PGPB were inoculated into maize at 0, 40 and 80 mM of NaCl, and in the second experiment, the PGPB that showed the best performance were co-inoculated with R. clarus in maize under the same conditions as in the first experiment. Individual PGPB inoculation benefited the number of leaves, stem diameter, root and shoot dry mass, and the photosynthetic pigments. Inoculation with PGPB 28-10 Pseudarthrobacter enclensis, 24-1 P. enclensis and 52 P. chlorophenolicus increased the chlorophyll a content by 138%, 171%, and 324% at 0, 40 and 80 mM NaCl, respectively, comparing to the non-inoculated control. We also highlight that the inoculation of PGPB 28-10, 28-7 Arthrobacter sp. and 52 increased the content of chlorophyll b by 72%, 98%, and 280% and carotenoids by 82%, 98%, and 290% at 0, 40 and 80 mM of NaCl, respectively. Co-inoculation with PGPB 28-7, 46-1 Leclercia tamurae, 70 Artrobacter sp., and 79-1 Micrococcus endophyticus significantly increased the rate of mycorrhizal colonization by roughly 50%. Furthermore, co-inoculation promoted a decrease in the accumulation of Na and K extracted from plant tissue, with an increase in salt concentration, from 40 mM to 80 mM, also favoring the establishment and development of R. clarus. In addition, co-inoculation of these PGPB with R. clarus promoted maize growth and increased plant biomass through osmoregulation and protection of the photosynthetic apparatus. The tripartite symbiosis (plant-fungus-bacterium) is likely to reprogram metabolic pathways that improve maize growth and crop yield, suggesting that the AMF-PGPB consortium can minimize damages caused by saline stress.

Assessing the spatial distribution and ecologic and human health risks in mangrove soils polluted by Hg in northeastern Brazil.

The emission of mercury (Hg) by chlor-alkali plants can pollute soils and sediments, posing risks to the environment and human health. Mangrove ecosystems are particularly sensitive to Hg contamination. Here, we studied the Hg spatial distribution and associated human and ecologic risks in mangrove soils impacted by a chlor-alkali plant. Sixty-six samples of superficial soils were collected from the mangrove of the Botafogo River, Brazil. Mercury contents were determined and ecological and human health risks were estimated from the soil. The Hg contents exceeded the local Hg background by up to 180 times, indicating the substantial anthropic contribution that occurred in the area. Mercury concentrations followed a gradient as a function of the distance from the chlor-alkali plant, with an apparent contribution from the estuary's hydrodynamic regime. The ecological risk was considered high in all the soils evaluated, while the daily average exposure for humans, considering multiple exposure routes to soil, is below the tolerable dose recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the risk to human health was unacceptable in the estuary section closest to the plant, mainly for children. Vapor inhalation was the main route for estimating non-carcinogenic risk. The results of this study indicate a severe scenario of Hg pollution with unacceptable risks to the ecosystem and the health of human beings, especially of the communities that live from fishery and shellfish colletion and are exposed daily to soils polluted by mercury. Studies on the organomercurial species in the food chain and Hg levels in individuals living close to the estuary are warranted. This research is an important reference in the world regarding the contamination of mangrove areas by Hg.

Investigating the Relationship Between Accessibility of Green Space and Adult Obesity Rates: A Secondary Data Analysis in the United States / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#In spite of the importance of green space for reducing obesity-related problems, there has been little exploration of whether access to green space (e.g., parks and recreational facilities) influences the obesity rate of adults in the United States. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships among accessibility of green space, obesity rates, and socioeconomic and demographic variables among adults living in the State of Indiana, United States. @*Methods@#We conducted a secondary data analysis to investigate the relationships among accessibility to green space, obesity rates, and socio-demographic variables with employing Geographic Information System in order to measure the accessibility of green space. @*Results@#This study found that accessibility of green space served as a strong predictor of reduced obesity rates among adults (β=-2.478; p<0.10). In addition, adults with higher education levels, as well as better access to green space, were found to have even lower obesity rates (β=-0.188; p<0.05). Other control variables such as unemployment rates, food security, and physical inactivity are additional factors that influence obesity rates among adults. @*Conclusions@#Accessibility of green space may play an important role in facilitating physical activity participation and reducing obesity rates.

Investigating the Relationship Between Accessibility of Green Space and Adult Obesity Rates: A Secondary Data Analysis in the United States / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#In spite of the importance of green space for reducing obesity-related problems, there has been little exploration of whether access to green space (e.g., parks and recreational facilities) influences the obesity rate of adults in the United States. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships among accessibility of green space, obesity rates, and socioeconomic and demographic variables among adults living in the State of Indiana, United States. @*Methods@#We conducted a secondary data analysis to investigate the relationships among accessibility to green space, obesity rates, and socio-demographic variables with employing Geographic Information System in order to measure the accessibility of green space. @*Results@#This study found that accessibility of green space served as a strong predictor of reduced obesity rates among adults (β=-2.478; p<0.10). In addition, adults with higher education levels, as well as better access to green space, were found to have even lower obesity rates (β=-0.188; p<0.05). Other control variables such as unemployment rates, food security, and physical inactivity are additional factors that influence obesity rates among adults. @*Conclusions@#Accessibility of green space may play an important role in facilitating physical activity participation and reducing obesity rates.

Assessing human health risks and strategies for phytoremediation in soils contaminated with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn by slag disposal.

Soils impacted by metallurgy activities pose serious risks to the health of exposed populations, whether by ingestion of soil or contaminated food and water. The municipality of Santo Amaro, Bahia state, presents the most important case of human lead contamination in Brazil. It occurred because of inadequate slag disposal. The aims of this research were to: (i) determine the environmentally available concentrations and the distribution of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in soil fractions; (ii) estimate the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of these elements for children; and (iii) to evaluate the use of corn (Zea mays) and castor bean (Ricinus communis) either for phytoextraction induced by chelating agents or phytostabilization. Our data demonstrated that the environmentally available concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in soils surrounding the Pb smelting plant are among the highest that have been reported. Apart from Cd, sequential extraction demonstrated that most metals are in recalcitrant forms in the soil. However, the daily exposure of children to Pb, Zn, Cd, and As exceeded the acceptable daily intake as established by the World Health Organization. Non-carcinogenic risk modeling indicated probable adverse health effects from chronic exposure to soil Pb. The mean estimated time for remediation of the area using phytoextraction was high, ranging from 76 to 259 years; therefore, this is not a viable alternative for remediating soils in the studied area. However, good development in the contaminated soil along with restriction of the metal(oid) translocation to shoots enables castor bean to phytostabilize metal(oid)s. Additionally, castor bean cultivation may be an alternative for an economic return because of biofuel production.

Índices de resistência e pulsatilidade das artérias uterinas no primeiro e segundo trimestres de gestações normais / Uterine arteries resistance and pulsatility indices at the first and second trimesters of normal pregnancies

OBJETIVO: Determinar os índices de resistência (IR) e pulsatilidade (IP) nas artérias uterinas durante o primeiro e segundo trimestres de gestação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizamos estudo prospectivo longitudinal em 44 mulheres normais, da 8ª a 12ª e na 22ª semanas de gestação. A dopplervelocimetria foi realizada em ambas as artérias uterinas por meio do IR e do IP. Utilizamos volume de amostra de 1 a 2 mm, filtro de 50 a 70 Hz e ângulo de insonação abaixo de 60°. RESULTADOS: O IR e o IP da artéria uterina no primeiro trimestre foram maiores da 8ª a 12ª do que na 22ª semana de gestação. O IR e o IP da artéria uterina, no primeiro trimestre, com incisura foram de 0,83 ± 0,07 e 2,32 ± 0,79, e sem incisura, de 0,71 ± 0,16 e 1,61 ± 0,78, respectivamente. No segundo trimestre, o IR e o IP da artéria uterina com incisura foram de 0,59 ± 0,09 e 1,03 ± 0,32, e sem incisura, de 0,44 ± 0,09 e 0,63 ± 0,19, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Estabelecemos os valores de referência do IR e do IP das artérias uterinas de gestantes normais no primeiro e segundo trimestres de gestação.

OBJECTIVE: To determine uterine artery resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors developed a prospective longitudinal study with 44 healthy women at their 8th-12th and 22nd gestational weeks. Doppler velocimetry was utilized for evaluating RI and PI of both uterine arteries, with a sample volume of 1 to 2 mm, a 50-70 Hz filter, and an insonation angle < 60°. RESULTS: At 8th-12th gestational weeks, the uterine artery RI and PI were higher than at the 22nd gestational week. At the first trimester uterine artery RI and PI were, respectively, 0.83 ± 0.07 and 2.32 ± 0.79 with a notch, and 0.71 ± 0.16 and 1.61 ± 0.78, without a notch. At the second trimester, uterine artery RI and PI were, respectively, 0.59 ± 0.09 and 1.03 ± 0.32 with a notch, and 0.44 ± 0.09 and 0.63 ± 0.19 without a notch. CONCLUSION: Reference values for uterine arteries RI and PI at the first and second trimesters of pregnancy were established.

Atualização sobre a síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolípide / Update on antiphospholipid syndrome

A síndrome antifosfolípide é doença auto-imune definida pela ocorrência de tromboses vasculares e/ou morbidade gestacional, em pacientes com testes positivos para os anticorpos antifosfolípides. Anticoagulante lúpico, anticardiolipina e anti beta 2 glicoproteína I são os anticorpos clinicamente importantes para o diagnóstico. Na gestação, pode estar associada a abortamentos recorrentes, restrição do crescimento intra-uterino, oligoidrâmnio, pré-eclâmpsia, parto pré-termo, síndrome HELLP, descolamento prematuro de placenta e óbito fetal. A anticoagulação é a principal estratégia no manejo das complicações trombóticas e obstétricas dessa síndrome, melhorando o prognóstico materno e fetal. O presente artigo tem por objetivo realizar atualização acerca dos principais aspectos relacionados aos critérios diagnósticos, às complicações e ao manejo atual da gestante acometida pela síndrome antifosfolípide.

Complicações e manejo do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico na gestação / Complications and management in systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy

O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico é doença crônica e auto-imune que afeta principalmente mulheres no período reprodutivo. As gestantes lúpicas estão sob risco mais alto de abortamento espontâneo, crescimento intra-uterino restrito, parto pré-termo, morte fetal e pré-eclâmpsia. Além disso, podem estar associadas à síndrome antifosfolípide e ao lúpus neonatal. Outra importante complicação é a nefrite lúpica, pois, além de influenciar negativamente os resultados gestacionais, seu diagnóstico pode ser dificultado por alterações fisiológicas da gravidez ou por pré-eclâmpsia. Apesar de todos os riscos, bons resultados maternos e fetais podem ser obtidos pelo acompanhamento adequado das pacientes. O presente artigo tem por objetivo realizar atualização sobre os principais aspectos das complicações e do manejo atual da gestante lúpica.