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Abstract Environmental contamination with heavy metals is a threat to the organisms due to their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation in food chains. The study was aimed to assess cadmium (Cd) effect on calcium (Ca) level in bones of a freshwater fish Channa gachua. 42 fish individuals were kept into six (6) aquaria; labelled aq.0, 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 in the laboratory for treatment. Aq.0 was control group and aq.1, 2,3,4,5 were experimental with treatment solution of Cd 0, 0.1ppm, 0.5ppm, 1ppm, 2.5ppm and 5ppm respectively for three months. After exposure, bones tissue were examined for Cd accumulation and Ca concentration. Highest accumulation of Cd were recorded in aq.5 mean 46.86 ± 0.46 mgkg-1 .and lowest in the control group with mean 0.61 ± 0.06 mgkg-1. The order of Cd bioaccumulation in bones were aq.5 > aq.4 >aq.3 > aq.2 > aq.1 > aq.0. Highest concentration of Ca were noted in aq.0 (Control group) mean 7888.06 ± 4827.22 mgkg-1 and lowest were 1132.36 ± 203.73 mgkg-1 in aq.5 (at 5.0 ppm). Generally a pattern of decreasing Ca level were observed with each rise of Cd bioaccumulation aq.0 > aq.1 > aq.2 > aq.3 > aq.4 > aq.5. Current study indicated that Cd accumulation have substantial effect on Ca level in bones and hence on skeleton system. Strict rules must be implemented by government to control metals pollution and exploitations of biota.

Summary: Introduction: Latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction is associated with a high incidence of donor site seromas. After using several preventive operative techniques, we were able to reduce postoperative complications in a standard operation procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various risk factors related to incidence, volume and frequency of seroma aspiration. Methods: A retrospective review of 87 latissimus dorsi breast reconstructions over a 10-year period was carried out. Associations between potential risk factors and outcome (total drainage volume, number of aspirations and total seroma volume) were investigated on a descriptive level by means of correlation analysis and on an analytical level by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Correlation analysis showed that co-morbidity and higher body mass index (BMI, in kilograms per square metre) were associated with larger seroma volumes. BMI remained a significant risk factor also after adjustment for other co-variates (p <0.001, linear regression). Moreover, patients receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) presented significantly higher seroma volumes (p =0.047, linear regression). At a trend level (p <0.1), post-operative hypertension, lower Ca±- levels and a reduction in haemoglobin levels (before vs. after operation) were also associated with larger seroma volumes. Discussion: This study, besides observing the effects of well-established risk factors such as age, BMI and surgical operation techniques, identified new risk factors, in particular the perioperative use of SSRIs and the calcium balance, which should be considered in patients in pre- and postoperative care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

‘Hongro’ is early-mid maturing cultivar with good quality like ‘Tsugaru’ and it has not preharvest drop. The CAX1 gene was introduced into Korean apple cultivar ‘Hongro’ by Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 harboring pBI121 to obtain transgenic apple with enhanced Ca level. The CAX1 gene playing the role of H+/Ca2+ transporter from Arabidopsis thaliana increases Ca concentration in several plants. Regenerated transgenic lines were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA for the existence of CAX1 gene. Southern blot analysis of ‘Hongro’ transformants showed that two putative transgenic lines were integrated with CAX1 gene in genomic DNA. The CAX1 comparative expression levels of two transgenic lines were higher than that of non-transformant evaluated by comparative quantification analysis using a real-time PCR. These two lines were multiplied in vitro, and micro-grafted on apple rootstocks ‘M.9’ in the isolated greenhouse. Since two years after micro-grafting, the fruits came into bearing. Compared to Ca level of the non-transgenic ‘Hongro’, that of the CAX1 transgenic ‘Hongro’ in the flesh and leaves was higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]