Age-Specific Gastric Cancer Risk Indicated by the Combination of Helicobacter pylori Sero-Status and Serum Pepsinogen Levels

Background:

Serologic screening of gastric cancer (GC) by serum pepsinogens (sPG) levels and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) sero-status, though highly informative, has provided heterogeneous results. Here, we have evaluated the modifying effects of demographic factors on the risk impact of Hp sero-status/sPG levels in gastric cancer, with particular emphasis on age.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1341 individuals (GC = 578, healthy = 763), who were stratified into two age groups: 35-59 years (middle-aged, n = 830) and ≥ 60 years (60 years-plus, n = 511). Demographic factors and serological states (Hp sero-staus and sPG levels) were recorded by subject interview and serum ELISAs, respectively. Covariate-specific odds ratios were calculated by multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

Hp infection was consistently associated with increased sPGI and sPGII levels in the 60 year-plus, but not the middle-aged group. The joint examination of the variable states of the three serum biomarkers (Hp serology, sPGI, and sPGI/II ratio), in the 60 year-plus age group, demonstrated a stepwise escalation of risk from the single (sPGI_low; OR = 2.6), to double (sPGI_low/sPGI/II_low; OR = 3.55, and Hp_positive/sPGI_low; OR = 5.0) and ultimately triple (Hp_positive/PGI_low/PGI/II_low; OR = 10.48) positive states, in reference to the triple negatives. However, this pattern was not exhibited in the middle-aged subjects.

Conclusion:

Age was clearly identified as a modifying factor on the risk projection of the combined states of Hp serology and sPG levels in gastric cancer screening, reflected by the augmented (~10.5 fold) risk of GC in the triple positive (Hp_positive/sPGI_low/sPGI/II_low) 60 year-plus subjects, which was not evident in the middle-aged group. Key Words: Biomarkers, Demography, Age Distribution     

Biochar Application and Drought Stress Effects on Physiological Characteristics of Silybum marianum

Soil amending with biochar has been viewed as a sustainable way to improve soil moisture holding capacity. The potential of biochar application to improve water status of crops under drought stress has not been extensively evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the impact of biochar application (0%, 1%, and 2% w/w soil) on some important physiological traits of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn) under moderate and severe drought stress conditions in a controlled environment. Although, the application of biochar at the higher rate slightly improved soil moisture holding capacity, the magnitude of its effect was not sufficient to influence plant performance under drought stress. To get the positive effects of biochar application on milk thistle performance under drought stress, application with higher rates is probably necessary.     

Influence of Selenium on Cadmium Toxicity in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. 4200) at an Early Growth Stage in a Hydroponic System

An experiment was established to assess the ability of selenium (Se) to reduce cadmium (Cd) toxicity when tomato was grown hydroponically. A factorial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with six replicates in cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. 4200). The Se was applied at four levels [0 mg L^–1 (Se0), 2 mg L^–1 Se (Se1), 4 mg L^–1 Se (Se2), and 6 mg L^–1 Se (Se3)], whereas Cd was applied at three levels [0 µM Cd (Cd0), 5 µM Cd (Cd1), and 7 µM Cd (Cd2)]. The Se improved the dry weight of roots even when plants were exposed to Cd. Treatment Se1 improved the dry weight of shoots in Cd1 and Cd2. Treatments Se1 and Se2 improved photosynthesis in Cd1. Treatment Se1 significantly improved stomatal conductance in Cd2 at all levels of Se relative to Cd2. The greatest Cd concentration in leaves was observed in Cd2 × Se0 and while Se concentration in solution increased in response to Se1, Se2, and Se3. The greatest Se level reduced Cd uptake the most. Growth and photosynthetic attributes can be negatively affected by Cd, but Se has the ability to buffer, or improve, several attributes.     

Lentil Response to Nitrogen Application and Rhizobia Inoculation

Lentils (Lens culinaris L.) are an important component of the dryland farming systems in the western USA. Optimum nitrogen (N) management can enhance yield and quality of lentils. We conducted a field (at two locations, one with previous history of lentil and the other one without lentil history) and a greenhouse study to evaluate response of lentil to the application of rhizobium inoculant and starter N (control, 22 kg N ha^?1 in the form of urea [U], 22 kg N ha^?1 in the form of slow-release or environmentally safe nitrogen [ESN], and 22 kg N ha^?1 U + 22 kg N ha^?1 ESN). In both, the field and the laboratory studies, lentil yield did not respond positively to the experimental treatments. Lentil average yield was 1216 and 1420 kg ha^?1 at the field condition. In this rain-fed system, lentil yield was mainly limited by moisture availability, and the application of an external N did not contribute to the yield enhancement. Both of these treatments, however, increased protein content. Compared to the control, the application of rhizobium plus U and ESN enhanced protein content by about 34% (from 23.1 to 30.9%). The application of U+ESN also considerably increased postharvest residual nitrate (NO₃)-N in the soil, which can be easily leached and creates environmental pollution. Briefly, the application of U+ESN increases lentil protein content, but more efforts are needed to optimize N management in lentils in order to reduce the environmental concerns in the shallow soil.     

Application of biosolids to soil affects Cu and Zn accumulation and antioxidant activity of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

The application of biosolids to agricultural fields is becoming increasingly common. The effect of biosolids on the behavior of metals in different plants has been reported to be variable and ambiguous. A greenhouse experiment was conducted on a soil spiked with four rates of copper (Cu) (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg kg^?1) and zinc (Zn) (0, 150, 300, and 450 mg kg^?1) in lettuce culture. When Cu and Zn were spiked to anaerobically-digested biosolids, their availability in lettuce increased. Root and shoot fresh weight decreased due to a decrease in photosynthetic rate. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidases (POD) activity increased after the application of Cu and Zn. The bioavailability of Zn in lettuce was greater than that of Cu because of a higher transfer factor in plants and due to a higher endogenous Zn concentration.These results will allow for better fertilization management when biosolids are applied to tomato culture.     

Cadmium accumulation and partitioning in Ocimum basilicum as influenced by the application of various potassium fertilizers

Potassium (K) is one of the major essential nutrient elements whose application of organic or nano-chelate-fertilizers has received increased attention recently. Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils and environment is increasing due to the over-application of Cd-containing phosphate fertilizers. But few studies have been carried out on the environmental influences of K-nano-chelate fertilizers especially on Cd-polluted soils. Therefore, the effects of K-fertilizer application in different rates (0, 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 soil) and forms (KCl, K₂SO₄ and K-nano-chelate) on Cd content and partitioning in Ocimum basilicum grown on an artificially Cd-contaminated calcareous soil (with 40 mg Cd kg^?1 soil) were studied under greenhouse conditions. Cadmium decreased shoot dry weight (SDW), but did not affect root dry weight (RDW) and no consistent trend was observed with applied K. Cadmium increased shoot and root Cd concentration or uptake. KCl and K₂SO₄ increased shoot Cd concentration compared to that of control, whereas K-nano-chelate did not affect it. In Cd-treated soils the mean value of Cd translocation factor (ratio of Cd concentration in shoots to that of roots) decreased by 60% as compared to that of the control. Application of 100 mg K-K₂SO₄ and 100 and 200 mg K-nano-chelate increased the Cd translocation factor by 49, 59 and 112% in Cd-treated soils, respectively. In Cd-treated soils, greater amounts of Cd accumulated in roots. K-nano-chelate could mitigate the adverse effect of Cd on SDW and Cd accumulation in plants grown on Cd-polluted soils, so the risk of Cd entrance to the food chain is reduced (however, in Cd-untreated soils, K-nano-chelate increased the Cd translocation factor higher than other K sources). In Cd-polluted soils KCl was the most inappropriate fertilizer that may intensify Cd accumulation in plants. However, it may be useful in the phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soils.     

Modeling behavior pattern of Iranian organic paddy farmers

This study designed an organic farmer's behavior model based on the Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. The methodology was Mixed Method Research. In the qualitative phase, ten rice producers who received healthy product certification from Standard Organization were interviewed. The results of qualitative research showed that factors affecting the organic farming conversion consisted of facilitating factors and barriers. Facilitating factors include motivations and profits and barriers include challenges and costs. In quantitative phase, 250 rice producers were randomly interviewed. The results of quantitative research showed that attitude and subjective norms of rice producers have a significant positive effect on their intension toward organic farming. Ajzen’s model has been improved by adding variables such as knowledge, self-identity and moral obligation . As a result, the model is improved and approximately 92 % of the variance of rice producers’ behavior in organic farming is explained by research variables.     

Role of selenium in mitigation of cadmium toxicity in pepper grown in hydroponic condition

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans but is not considered as essential for plants. However, its beneficial role in improving plant growth and stress tolerances is well established. In order to study the role of Se in cadmium (Cd) toxicity in pepper (Capsicum frutescens cv. Suryankhi Cluster), this experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions. Treatments comprised Cd [0, 0.25, and 0.5 mM cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)] and Se [0, 3, and 7 µM sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)] with three replications. The result showed that Cd decreased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, whereas Se supplementation diminished Cd toxicity on photosynthetic pigment. Selenium at 7 µM significantly increased the leaf area in the plants grown at 0.25 mM Cd. The application of Se at 3 µM with 0.25 mM Cd and Se at 3 µM and Se at 7 µM with 0.5 mM Cd increased the activity of catalase (CAT). Selenium at 7 µM decreased the proline content of pepper leaves exposed to Cd at 0.5 mM (30%). Selenium significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity of leaves, which was diminished by Cd toxicity. In general, Se has a beneficial effect on plant growth and is an antioxidant enzyme of pepper cv. Suryankhi Cluster under Cd stress and non-stress conditions.