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A three-year experiment was performed to study the alteration of copper and zinc levels in industrial hemp grown in different soils using elevated sewage slurry solid waste applications. Two soil samples, an acidic and an alkaline one, with different soil properties, such as percentage of CaCO3 and cation exchange capacity values, were used. Three treatments of waste solid with provided elevated concentrations of Cu and Zn were combined with two irrigation levels. The application of high doses of the solid residue as well as high irrigation level lead to an increase of the mobility of metals in hemp leaves in acidic soil in contrast to alkaline. On the contrary, in alkaline soil along with a reduced irrigation level, there is a decrease in the mobility of Cu and therefore its accumulation in the roots or stems was observed. Concluding, hemp seem to be a promising plant remediator, after the application of the proper irrigation level and taking into account the physico-chemical soil properties of moderately contaminated (with copper and zinc) soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a major acute-phase protein in humans, and elevated plasma levels represent a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. SAA was thought to be produced by hepatocytes only in response to inflammatory stimuli; moreover, recent studies have shown that adipose tissue can secrete several proinflammatory factors. Therefore, we investigated whether cells in adipose tissue can synthesize SAA in response to inflammatory stimuli. Adipocytes and preadipocytes isolated from abdominal adipose tissue were incubated with IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, LPS, or resistin at different concentrations. After 48 hours, the supernatants were analyzed by ELISAs for human SAA. Preadipocytes did not show any production in SAA. In contrast, in adipocytes, incubation with TNF-α led to a significant increase in SAA production, peaking after LPS or resistin (∼3 times greater vs unstimulated adipocytes). The greatest increase in SAA occurred with all stimuli combined (∼5 times greater vs control cells). Subsequently, we investigated whether treatment with some drugs could modulate SAA production in adipocytes, and observed that fluvastatin led to a significant inhibition of SAA release, whereas a larger modulation of SAA release was observed after treatment with troglitazone or aspirin. These results show for the first time that human adipocytes, and not preadipocytes, can produce SAA in response to inflammatory cytokines and that this process can be modulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological and natural disasters occurred in Europe during last decades showed an increased vulnerability of our society to different risks. Authorities and civil protection need instruments which allow having a better understanding of the variety of risks over a territory and help them in managing the resources and planning the emergency. However, many difficulties arise in comparing hazards, vulnerabilities and risks among them. The existing risk mapping in European countries often allows a simplified comparison of risks by means of potential damages but does not permit any qualitative assessment of multi-risk situations. The aim of this project carried out for the Piedmont Region (Italy) is the development of a decision support system based on a multi-risk approach which can overcome difficulties in the overall risk assessment over a territory. To define multi-risk maps, a multi-risk perspective and stakeholder's perceptions were integrated to a classical risk assessment frame. The specific purpose of this work is describing the methodological framework built up at this stage of the project and discussing the first results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this investigation was the monitoring of nitrogen (N) and cadmium (Cd) levels in soils and irrigation water samples in an intensively cultivated area in central Greece. From 2005 to 2007, soil as well as irrigation water samples were collected two periods a year (March and October) at the same sampling sites in the Almyros area. Nitrogen was measured in three forms (as nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium) using the anion chromatography method. Available and total Cd concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy, after extraction with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and aqua regia extraction solutions, respectively. The nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and Cd concentrations were always less than the corresponding water standards. Cadmium concentration (total and DTPA extractable) in soil samples was high in the sites where phosphate fertilizers had been intensively used for the crops. Seasonal variation was found in all parameters measured between the autumn and spring of each year. No temporal variation was found, as there was no statistical difference in nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium or in Cd concentration among the years of the study. A spatial variation was observed in all the parameters and was illustrated by the respective thematic maps. Thematic maps of predictions of the measured variables, as well as for pH and electrical conductivity, were generated using geostatistics as a helpful tool in sustainable soil management of the study area. The spatial variability of available Cd was found to follow the variability of soil pH, as highly available Cd concentration was observed in highly acid soils. Significant correlations among nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, available and total Cd, and soil physicochemical parameters were obtained and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is one of the most important agricultural products in Greece. The accumulation of heavy metals in tobacco leaves in accordance with a possible risk of transferring them to people by smoke is well known. To monitoring heavy-metal contents in soils, as well as in tobacco leaves, a 6-year survey was conducted in the Thessaly region (central Greece). The concentration of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) was measured both in soils and in air-cured (Burley), flue-cured (Virginia), and sun-cured (Oriental-filling) tobacco leaves in lower and upper leaves (primings). Regression analysis was conducted between soil and tobacco heavy-metal content to examine the possibility of predicting tobacco heavy-metal levels based on the results of soil analysis [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable levels]. The results showed a high correlation between Oriental tobacco heavy-metal content and DTPA-extracted heavy-metal level in soils. Although regressions based on the pooled data from the three tobacco types adequately predicted tobacco heavy-metal levels, better fits were obtained when regression models were used for Oriental tobacco separately. Statistically significant negative correlations were recorded between heavy-metal concentrations in Oriental tobacco leaves and soil pH, in all primings. Therefore, low soil pH value leads to an increased availability of heavy metals in tobacco leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) adsorption and desorption by goethite and clinoptilolite were the subjects of this article. Experimental variables were the concentrations of Cd, As, background electrolyte, and the solution pH. Cadmium adsorption by goethite and clinoptilolite increases with the increase of pH and with the decrease of electrolyte concentration. Maximum Cd desorption by goethite was found at pH 6.0 and by clinoptilolite at pH 8.0 and 0.1 M potassium chloride (KCl). Maximum As desorption by goethite was found at pH 8.0 and by clinoptilolite at pH 10.0 and 0.01 M KCl. The experimental results of Cd adsorption were successfully fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms, and the experimental results of As adsorption were comparable successfully fitted to Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors may affect the zinc (Zn) adsorption and desorption on natural clinoptilolite and iron (Fe) oxides. Among them are ionic strength and pH. In this article, the Zn retention behavior on two clinoptilolite-Fe(NO3)3 systems as a function of ionic strength and pH were evaluated. Two clinoptilolite-Fe(NO3)3 systems were obtained from the mixture of clinoptilolite and iron nitrate in different proportions and conditions and were characterized using Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The clinoptilolite-Fe(NO3)3 systems have specific surface area equal to 151 and 140 m2/g respectively and were fully iron exchanged (Fe/Al = 3.17 and 1.23 respectively). The adsorption of Zn and desorption of Zn, magnesium (Mg), and Fe were examined after mixing 1.00 g from each of the two systems with five different Zn concentrations, three different pH values, and two different electrolyte concentrations. The Zn adsorption increases as electrolyte concentration decreases and pH increases. The percentage of Zn adsorption decreases as initial Zn concentration increases. Zinc, Mg, and Fe desorption increases as pH decreases and electrolyte concentration increases. The desorption of Mg from the second system is higher than that of the first system, but the desorption of Fe from the first system is higher than that of the second. The statistical analysis reveals a strong relationship between A and B systems concerning the desorption of Mg and Fe. Consequently, the clinoptilolite-Fe(NO3)3 systems could be considered as two satisfactory detergents of high soil Zn concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to provide information on heavy metals concentrations in soils and in irrigation water in Thessaly, Central Greece, where tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is cultivated. Tobacco tends to accumulate high levels of heavy metals, especially Cadmium. During the years 1998, 1999, and 2000, 795 surface soil samples (0 to 30 cm depth) and 200 water samples were collected from Karditsa, Larissa, and Trikala areas. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter, electrical conductivity, and clay content. Total (extraction with Aqua Regia) and available (DTPA-extractable) heavy metal (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb) concentrations were determined by FAAS and GF-AAS technique. The same technique was also used for the determination of the dissolved heavy metals in acidified (HNO 3 ) water samples (pH -1 , and clay content between 12 and 39%. Total concentration of extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb (Aqua Regia method) ranged between 12 and 57, 5 and 61, 156 and 2231, 0.03 and 0.93, and 3 and 47 mg kg -1 dry soil, respectively and were all below European Community recommended limits. The concentration of heavy metals (DTPA method) in relation to total concentration (Aqua Regia method) was as follows: Cd: 17.8%; Pb: 6.7%; Cu: 3.8%; Mn: 1.9%; and Zn: 1.6%, indicating that Cd had the highest relative availability of the five metals tested. Significant negative correlation was found between soil pH and DTPA-extractable Zn (0.48**) and Mn (0.78**). Total soil metals were significantly correlated with organic matter content Zn (0.33**), Cu (0.48**), Pb (0.39**), soil clay Zn (0.32**), and Cu (0.35**). In irrigation waters dissolved heavy metals in most cases were not detectable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosolids land application is a widely accepted option throughout the world because of its beneficial effects on soil chemical and physical properties and crop yield. These effects—especially those pertaining to soil physical properties—have not been adequately studied in Mediterranean conditions. In a 3-yr field experiment, conducted in a clay loam (Typic Xerochrept) in central Greece, the influence of biosolids application on cotton yield and some physical soil properties was studied. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with four biosolids rate (0, 10, 30, and 50 ton ha -1 yr -1 ) and four replicates. We found that after 3 yr of biosolids application, organic matter content, water retention capacity, available water, and infiltration rate significantly increased, whereas bulk density and aggregate instability index decreased. Soil physical properties affected by the SS addition were significantly correlated with organic matter content. Organic matter content was positively correlated with cotton yield, water retention capacity, available water, and infiltration rate and negatively correlated with bulk density and aggregate instability index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four hundred fifty soil samples of the orders of Alfisols, Inceptisols, Endisols, and Vertisols from Karditsa, Trikala, and Larissa (Central Greece) were collected over a three-year period. In these samples we analyzed potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and soil properties known to affect their mobility. High regression coefficients were observed between soil pH and PTE concentrations in Alfisols, reflecting that soil pH is the dominant characteristic influencing PTEs. In Inceptisols, there was a significant interaction among the studied PTEs, probably due to PTEs having the same origin. The Endisol samples had high sand content and electrical conductivity values, resulting in high availability of all studied PTEs. In Vertisols, clay content proved to be the most important parameter influencing PTE levels. Factor analysis was also used in order to clarify the possible sources of metals in the studied areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), a member of interleukin (IL)-6 family, was originally isolated for its ability to induce a hypertrophic response in neonatal cardiac myocytes. This cytokine mediates a pleiotropic set of growth and differentiation activities through a unique receptor system, consisting of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and a common signal transducer, the glycoprotein 130 (gp130). Both in humans and in mice, CT-1 mRNA has been detected in several tissues, such as liver tissue, adipose tissue, and tissues in the respiratory and nervous systems; in each of these tissues it performs different functions. Predominant actions of CT-1 are on the heart, where it is synthesized and where it provides first myocardial protection by promoting cell survival and proliferation, it carries on its haemodynamic effects and endocrine properties, and finally, it predisposes the heart to pathological conditions. The aim of this review is to describe the pathophysiological mechanisms through which CT-1 carries out its activities, especially on the heart, and its potential contribution as a disease marker in clinical cardiology. Recent studies have confirmed its active role in promoting structural changes typical of most common cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, valve diseases, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease. In fact, CT-1 induces myocyte hypertrophy and collagen synthesis, thereby participating in the progression of ventricular remodelling, which results in cardiac muscle failure at the latest stage. CT-1 plasma levels are elevated in patients with hypertension and coronary artery diseases, and they are also correlated with the severity of valve diseases and heart failure. Therefore, CT-1 may represent a diagnostic, staging, and prognostic biomarker of cardiovascular diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]