The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of native and invasive plant species for the uptake and accumulation of lithium (Li) and strontium (Sr) along the Sava River, focusing on ...their bioindication and phytoremediation capabilities. Sampling was carried out in riparian zones exposed to different pollution sources in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia. Plant samples of native (Salix alba, Populus alba, Populus nigra, Ulmus glabra, Juglans regia) and invasive (Amorpha fruticosa, Reynoutria japonica, Solidago canadensis, Impatiens glandulifera) species were collected. The content of Li and Sr was analyzed in the soils, roots, and leaves of the selected plants, as well as physical and chemical soil properties. Both Li and Sr content in the soils increased from the source to the mouth of the Sava River. The native species showed significant potential for Li and Sr accumulation based on the metal accumulation index. The highest Sr accumulation was measured in the leaves of Salix alba and the roots of Juglans regia, while the highest Li accumulation was measured in Ulmus glabra. Native species, especially Salix alba, proved to be better bioindicators of Li and Sr. Invasive species, especially Amorpha fruticosa and Impatiens glandulifera, showed a remarkable ability to translocate Sr and Li, respectively, to leaves. These results provide valuable insight into the suitability of plants for biomonitoring soil contamination and potential applications in phytoremediation strategies. In summary, the study shows the importance of native species in the context of the accumulation and bioindication of soil pollution.
Ethnobotanical research in Southeast Europe-one of the most important European hotspots for biocultural diversity-is significant for the acquisition of Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to ...plants as well as for encouraging the development of local environments. The current ethnobotanical research was conducted in the region of Mt Stara Planina (south-eastern Serbia), which is characterised by rich phytodiversity with a large number of endemic and relict plant species. The aim of the study was to document the diversity of uses of medicinal plants and of traditional knowledge on their therapeutic uses.
Ethnobotanical data was collected through both open and semi-structured interviews with locals. Fifty-one inhabitants were interviewed (26 men and 25 women), aged 30-91, and data was analysed by means of use reports, citation frequency, use values (UV), and the informant consensus factor (ICF).
The study identified 136 vascular medicinal plant taxa and one lichen species belonging to 53 families and 116 genera. Lamiaceae (19), Rosaceae (18), and Asteraceae (17) had the highest species diversity. The plant parts most commonly used to make a variety of herbal preparations were the aerial parts (54 citations), leaves (35 citations), fruits (20 citations), flowers (18 citations), and roots (16 citations), while the most common forms of preparation were teas (60.78%), consumption of fresh tubers, leaves, roots, and fructus (6.86%), compresses (5.88%), juices (5.39%), decoctions (3.92%), 'travarica' brandy (3.92%), and syrups (2.45%). Of the recorded species, 102 were administered orally, 17 topically, and 18 both orally and topically. The plants with a maximum use value (UV = 1) were Allium sativum, Allium ursinum, Gentiana asclepiadea, Gentiana cruciata, Gentiana lutea, Hypericum perforatum, Thymus serpyllum and Urtica dioica. The highest ICF value (ICF = 0.95) was recorded in the categories of Skin and Blood, Blood Forming Organs, and Immune Mechanism.
This study shows that medicinal plants in the research area are an extremely important natural resource for the local population as they are an important component of their health culture and provide a better standard of living.
This study evaluated the source apportionment and level of contamination with potential toxic elements (PTEs)—As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn—in a riparian zone of the Sava River by calculating the ...Enrichment Factor (EF) and the Geo-Accumulation Index (Igeo). The study analysed the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to both adults and children in the local population. Soil and sediment samples collected during high and low water events from 12 sites along 945 km of the river were screened. Elevated soil contents of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were observed along the middle and lower stretches from Županja (ZUP) to Belgrade (BEO), and an elevated Cu content was detected in the upper stretch Čatež (CAT), highlighting these elements as a potential risk for the human population. Elevated As, Cd Cr, Ni, and Zn levels in the sediment were also detected, with the Ni content three times higher than the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) values, indicating high contamination. The study established that As, Cr, and Ni primarily originate from geological sources; Cu, Pb, and Zn are predominantly from anthropogenic sources; and Cd originates from both geological and anthropogenic sources. Although the EF and Igeo varied along the entire river stretch, they were significantly higher for most elements in the lower stretch, indicating intensive anthropogenic contamination and potential health risks. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with soils and sediments during high and low water events did not imply a potential risk for adults. However, As, Cd, Cr, and Pb potentially pose the greatest non-carcinogenic risk for children in both high and low water events, with ingestion as the main route of exposure. According to our findings, the elevated concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in the Sava River basin (SRB) pose a significant potential health risk to the local population based on several factors: the high levels of these elements, their potential contamination risk as determined by the EF and Igeo, and their bioavailability and solubility. Although the cumulative Total Hazard Index (THI) and Total Carcinogenic Risk (TCR) values are low, particularly in the lower stretch of the Sava River, these elements still present a high potential health threat.
This study addresses the potential of Populus alba L. for bioindication and phytoremediation of the contaminated lower part of the Sava River. The main objectives are to assess soil contamination ...with potentially toxic elements (PTEs: As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn), evaluate their availability, and assess the phytoremediation and bioindication potential of Populus alba. Quantification of the PTE contents was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), while bioindication and phytoremediation potential were evaluated using accumulation indices. The study revealed phytotoxic contents of Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn in the riparian soils of the lower Sava River. The percentage of available Cd was high, but due to its low total content, its phytotoxic potential is limited. According the metal accumulation index, Populus alba exhibits significant potential to accumulate the PTEs studied (with accumulated toxic contents of B, Cr, Li, Sr, and Zn). The ability of Populus alba to accumulate and bioindicate Cd, Cr, and Ni is promising, as is its ability to potentially remediate B, Cd, and Zn. Copper deficiency in leaves resulted in a reduction in photosynthetic performance, but without visible morphological symptoms. The reduced photosynthetic capacity serves as an adaptive strategy for this species in response to toxic levels of PTEs. Since Populus alba is widely distributed in European riparian forests, it is a good candidate to address soil contamination through phytoremediation and bioindication techniques.
•Soils in the lower course of the Sava River contain phytotoxic Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn.•Populus alba has a potential for bioindication of Cd, Cr, and Ni in riparian soils.•This species also has a great potential of for phytoextraction of Cd, B, and Zn.•Based on MAI, Populus alba has great potential for the accumulation of PTEs.•Populus alba: good candidate for pollution control in Europe's riparian ecosystems.
Potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination in medicinal plants, particularly those growing in urban environments, can cause human health issues. Therefore, this study evaluated trace element ...accumulation and translocation patterns (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in the aboveground tissue of common Tilia tomentosa Moench, often used as a medicinal plant, sampled in Belgrade’s urban parks (Zemunski Park, Park Blok 63, and Park Topčider). Our results indicated that this species exhibits the ability to accumulate and translocate PTEs, particularly Cu, in its aboveground parts. It was found that the levels of Cu and Sr in flowers were within the toxic range for plants, indicating a potential risk in using T. tomentosa flowers from Park Topčider for medicinal purposes. The maximum Estimated Daily Intake of Ni from the consumption of leaves and flowers of plants growing in two parks (Zemunski Park and Park Topčider) exceeded the corresponding Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake. Additionally, the Carcinogenic Risk calculated for Cr present in flowers was above the USEPA limit (3.021 × 10−3), indicating possible adverse effects on human health and a carcinogenic risk from ingesting tea prepared from T. tomentosa flowers from Park Topčider. Our research underlines how crucial it is to cautiously use medicinal tree species growing in urban parks in residential areas.
Freshwater ecosystems are at significant risk of contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to their high inherent toxicity, their persistence in the environment and their tendency to ...bioaccumulate in sediments and living organisms. We investigated aquatic macrophyte communities and the concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni and Fe in water and sediment samples to identify a pollution pattern along the Sava River and to investigate the potential impact of these PTEs on the diversity and structure of macrophyte communities. The study, which covered 945 km of the Sava River, showed a downstream increase in sediment concentrations of the analyzed elements. Both species richness and alpha diversity of macrophyte communities also generally increase downstream. Ordinary and partial Mantel tests indicate that macrophyte communities are significantly correlated with sediment chemistry, but only weakly correlated with water chemistry. In the lowland regions (downstream), beta diversity decreases successively, which can be attributed to an increasing similarity of environmental conditions at downstream sites. Species richness is relatively low at sites with low concentrations of Cr, Cd, Fe, and Cu in the sediment. However, species richness increases to a certain extent with increasing element concentrations; as element concentrations increase further, species richness decreases, probably as a result of increased toxicity. Some species that are generally more tolerant to high concentrations of PTEs are: Ceratophyllum demersum, Iris pseudacorus, Najas marina, Butomus umbellatus, Vallisneria spiralis, Potamogeton gramineus and Bolboschoenus maritimus maritimus. Potamogeton perfoliatus and the moss species Cinclidotus fontinaloides and Fontinalis antipyretica have narrow ecological amplitudes in relation to the concentrations of PTEs in the sediment.
•The effect of trace elements on aquatic vegetation along the Sava River was studied.•Concentrations of analyzed elements increase in the downstream direction.•Species richness and alpha diversity also increase in the downstream direction.•There is a significant correlation between sediment pollution and species richness of macrophytes.•Elevated Cr, Cd, Fe, and Cu concentrations can affect species richness.
Invasive plant species (IPS) have many characteristics that are necessary for successful phytoremediation and the accumulation of large amounts of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The most common ...IPS from the source of the Sava River are Reynoutria japonica, Solidago canadensis and Impatiens glandulifera. Considering that the riparian soils of the Sava River are classified as moderately polluted, this study investigated their enrichment with PTEs (As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and the potential for accumulation of these elements in roots and leaves of the most common IPS. The soil and plant samples were prepared using the wet digestion method in CEM Mars 6 microwave oven. The content of PTEs in soil and plant samples was determined by ICP-OES. The results showed a moderate to very high enrichment of Cu in the soils. Impatiens glandulifera has the highest uptake capacity in leaves and phytoextraction ability of B, Cd, Cu and Zn. Reynoutria japonica has some potential for phytoextraction of Pb, Zn and especially B, while Solidago canadensis has potential for phytoextraction of B and Zn, while excluding Cr and Cu. The analyzes have shown that the studied species are not suitable for bioindication of PTEs in the riparian soils of the Sava River. Considering the enrichment of soils with Cu, Impatiens glandulifera is the most suitable species for phytoremediation of these elements among the studied species.
Potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination in medicinal plants, particularly those growing in urban environments, can cause human health issues. Therefore, this study evaluated trace element ...accumulation and translocation patterns (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in the aboveground tissue of common Tilia tomentosa Moench, often used as a medicinal plant, sampled in Belgrade’s urban parks (Zemunski Park, Park Blok 63, and Park Topčider). Our results indicated that this species exhibits the ability to accumulate and translocate PTEs, particularly Cu, in its aboveground parts. It was found that the levels of Cu and Sr in flowers were within the toxic range for plants, indicating a potential risk in using T. tomentosa flowers from Park Topčider for medicinal purposes. The maximum Estimated Daily Intake of Ni from the consumption of leaves and flowers of plants growing in two parks (Zemunski Park and Park Topčider) exceeded the corresponding Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake. Additionally, the Carcinogenic Risk calculated for Cr present in flowers was above the USEPA limit (3.021 × 10sup.−3 ), indicating possible adverse effects on human health and a carcinogenic risk from ingesting tea prepared from T. tomentosa flowers from Park Topčider. Our research underlines how crucial it is to cautiously use medicinal tree species growing in urban parks in residential areas.
Chronic inflammation has arised as a major underlying cause of atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetes. It is mediated by cells of innate immune system like macrophages but also by their antecedents, ...circulating monocytes. Roles of monocyte subsets and different markers of monocyte activation in the context of metabolic disorders have been reviewed. Applying cell based approach through flow cytometry in this field has resulted with new understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. Possible implications of these insights in diagnosis, prognosis and revealing of therapeutic targets in metabolic disorders remain a challenge for future.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is uncommon cutaneous malignant neuroendocrine tumour of the elderly people with rapidly growing skin nodules found frequently on sun-exposed areas of the body. MCC is ...often an aggressive tumour with high tendency for local recurrence, lymph node involvement and distant metastases. This paper reports a case of metastatic MCC diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), flow cytometric deoxiribonucleated acid (DNA) analysis, pathohistology and electron microscopy. The cytological features in aspirate (stained with Papenheim and Papanicolaou staining) included increased cellularity, discohesive groups of small-to-medium size malignant cells with uniform, round-to-oval nuclei with moulding effect, fine chromatin, multiple micronucleoli and scanty cytoplasm. DNA flow cytometric analysis of the aspirate showed unexpected results for clinically aggressive behaviour of this tumour (the patient died after 21 months), and revealed that tumour contained diploid peak with DNA index of 1.1. The proliferation was high with elevated S-phase fraction (21%). The cytological diagnosis of possible metastatic MCC was confirmed by histological one as well as by electron microscopy presented the pathognomonic features for this tumour: dense-core neurosecretory granules with diameter of 100-250 nm surrounded by whorls of intermediate filaments. MCC provides an enormous challenge for the morphologist because of a wide range of differential diagnosis and for the clinician because this tumour has a highly malignant potential for local recurrence, nodal and distant spread and very often is combined with other tumours. Therefore it is important to perform FNAC of different lesions in the same patient because it can distinguish MCC from the other tumours.
