Anthropogenic Input of Selected Heavy Metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn and Cd) in the Aquatic Sediments of Hochiminh City, Vietnam

The aquatic system of Hochiminh City comprises two main rivers: the Sai Gon and Nha Be rivers. Five canals discharge into these two rivers: NhieuLoc-ThiNghe, TauHu-BenNghe, TanHoa-LoGom, ThamLuong-BenCat and Doi-Te. The rivers and these canals collect effluent water from domestic and industrial sources. Most of these flows are not treated or at most are only primarily treated. A total of 33 sediment cores were taken from these rivers and canals. Chemical composition of these aquatic sediments has very high concentrations of several “urban” metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn. Most of the samples have exceeded the US EPA’s toxicity reference values for Cu, Zn and Cr (82, 82 and 70%, respectively). The highest concentrations of these metals appear to be associated with the uncontrolled and untreated industrial runoff to the discharge canals. These concentrations in fluvial sediment are relatively low, which indicates the dilution process of the contaminants. This finding indicates that the anthropogenic inputs play an important role in the elevation of heavy metals in the aquatic system and organic matter seems to exert a strong geochemical control on the amount of heavy metals. The Pearson correlation coefficients calculated for Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn, are 0.89; 0.72; 0.93 and 0.87, respectively.     

Relationship between total transit time and faecal quality in adult dogs differing in body size

Fed the same diet, large and giant-breed dogs have higher faecal moisture and increased frequency of soft stools than small ones. This could be the result of physiological differences, such as a different gastrointestinal transit time. In this study, we have correlated mean total transit time (MTT) with body size and faecal consistency in dogs varying in body size. Fifty dogs from 13 different breeds were used, from a Dachshund to a Great Dane. The MTT was determined using coloured plastic beads [Cummings and Wiggins, Gut, Vol. 17 (1976), p. 219], and faecal consistency was scored daily during the study. We confirmed the strong correlation between height at the shoulder (body size) and faecal score (r = 0.76; p < 0.0001). The MTT increased with body size, from 22 h for a Miniature Poodle to 59 h for a Giant Schnauzer. We found significant positive correlations (p < 0.0001) between MTT and body size as well as faecal scores (r = 0.71 and 0.70 respectively). In the present study, we observed an effect of body size on MTT. In our 50 healthy dogs a longer MTT was related to a poorer faecal quality. Previous studies reported no relationship between body size and the upper gastrointestinal transit time in healthy dogs. So, we hypothesized that body size would mainly affect colonic transit time and that a longer colonic residence time would be related to a poorer faecal quality by promoting fermentation activity.     

Les vitamines du groupe B dans les aliments végétaux au Sud Vietnam

Résumé Les recherches sur la teneur en vitamines du groupe B (thiamine, riboflavine, nicotinamide) faites sur 135 végétaux alimentaires du Sud Vietnam, montrent que les plantes riches en thiamine sont rares; ce sont surtout les graines et quelques rares feuilles(Sesbania grandiflora Pers. 0,365 mg% de partie comestible) et fruit (pulpe deTamarindus indica L. 0,374 mg %:Durio Zibethinus Murr. 0,300 mg %).Les bonnes sources de riboflavine sont aussi rares mais ce sont essentiellement les légumes à feuilles vertes dont spécialementIpomoea aquatica Forsk. 0,500 mg % et un champignonVolvaria esculenta Massee 0,350 mg %.Enfin la nicotinamide se trouve en quantité importante dans les plantes alimentaires étudiées et sa répartition est assez variée. Les teneurs les plus élevées se trouvent dans les graines comme:Arachis hypogea L. 12 mg %,Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. 8,450 mg %Sesamum indicum L. 5,970 mg %.

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Summary The vitamins of the B group (thiamine, riboflavine, nicotin amide) were analysed in 135 edible plants from South-Vietnam. The plants rich in thiamine are rare; some seeds, rarer leaves(Sesbania grandiflora Pers. 0.365 mg % of the edible part) and fruits (pulp ofTamarus Indica L. 0.374 mg %,Durio Zibethinus Murr 0.3 mg %) were found.The rich sources of riboflavine are equally rare; into the group belong especially green leaves, in particularIpomoea aquatica Forsk, 0.5 mg % and a fungus,Volvaria esculenta Massee 0.35 mg %.Nicotinamide is found in greater quantities in the analysed plants, the allotment being rather great. The greatest amounts have been found in the seeds:Arachis hypogea L. 12 mg %,Citrullus vulgaris Schrad 8.45 mg %Sesamum Indicum L. 5.97 mg %.

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Zusammenfassung Die Vitamine der B-Gruppe (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Nicotinsäureamid) wurden in 135 essbaren Pflanzen aus Süd-Vietnam bestimmt. Thiamin-reiche Pflanzen sind selten: manche Samen, seltener manche Blätter,(Sesbania grandiflora Pers. 0,365 mg % des essbaren Teiles) und Früchte (Fleisch vonTamarindus indica L. 0,374 mg %,Durio Zibethinus Murr 0,3 mg %).Gute Quellen an Riboflavin sind ebenso selten. Solche sind besonders grüne Blätter, namentlich vonIpomoea aquatica Forsk, 0,5 mg %, und ein Pilz,Volvaria esculenta Massee 0,35 mg %.Nicotinsäureamid findet sich in wechselnden Mengen in den untersuchten Pflanzen. Die höchsten Gehalte sind in Samen zu finden:Arachis hypogea L. 12 mg %,Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. 8,45 mg %,Sesamum indicum L. 5,97 mg %.