Search Results (25)

Since airborne microplastics (AMPs) are a recent and unexplored field of study, there are several unresolved issues regarding their effects on plants. The accumulating potential of AMPs and their effect on the biochemical parameters of ten different plant species in an Indian city environment were assessed. The four types of AMPs deposited in the phyllosphere—fragment (30.76%), film (28.95%), fiber (22.61%), and pellet (17.68%)—were examined using stereomicroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) was determined, and other biochemical parameters such as proline, phenol, malondialdehyde, carotenoids, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were also measured. The findings showed that in the case of polymers type, PE (30%) was more abundant than others, followed by PET (17%), PP (15%), PVC (13%), PVA (10%), PS (7%), ABS (5%), and PMMA (3%). Clerodendrum infortunatum L., Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, and Mangifera indica L. all showed a strong APTI and also exhibited significantly higher amounts of AMP accumulation. Principal component analysis showed a stronger association between phyllospheric AMPs and biochemical parameters. Additionally, the correlation analysis revealed that the presence of accumulated AMPs may significantly influence the biochemical parameters of the plants. Thus, it can be concluded that the different plant species are uniquely specialized in AMP accumulation, which is significantly impacted by the plants’ APTI as well as other biochemical parameters. Full article

Air pollution in cities is intensifying, inevitably affecting all living organisms, gincluding trees. Urban trees are vital for cities because they improve air quality and regulate the climate; however, like all living organisms, they are affected by the environment to which they are exposed. In cities, the primary atmospheric pollutants of inorganic origin include NO, SO_X, CO_X, O₃, and suspended particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀). Each of these pollutants impacts population health, with urban trees undergoing a series of consequent alterations. In this study, we review the inorganic pollutants identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as impacting air quality in cities in different regions of the world; discuss the regulations that govern NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃, and PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ emissions and their impact they have on urban trees; analyze the processes involved in pollutant–tree interactions and the related tolerance and/or resistance mechanisms; and determine the tree species with the best tolerance, classified using an air pollution tolerance index (APTI). Full article

Urban trees are known for their ability to settle fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), yet the effects of historical pollution exposure on their dust-retention capacity and stress memory remain underexplored. Therefore, we selected Euonymus japonicus Thunb. var. aurea-marginatus Hort. and Photinia × fraseri Dress, which are two common urban greening tree species in the Yangtze River Delta, a highly urbanized region in China facing severe air pollution challenges, characterized by dense urban forests, and we employed an aerosol generator to perform controlled experiments aiming to simulate PM_2.5 pollution exposure in a sealed chamber. The experiments encompassed a first pollution treatment period P1 (15 days), a recovery period R (15 days), and a second pollution treatment period P2 (15 days). The study investigates the historical impacts of pollution exposure by simulating controlled environmental conditions and assessing the morphological and physiological changes in trees. The main results are as follows: V_d of Euonymus japonicus Thunb. var. aurea-marginatus Hort. significantly decreased on the 10th day during P2 compared with that on the same day during P1, whereas V_d of Photinia × fraseri Dress significantly decreased on the 15th day. Compared with those during P1, the specific leaf area of both plants significantly decreased, the specific leaf weight significantly increased, the wax layer significantly thickened, the stomata decreased, and the content of photosynthetic pigments remained stable during P2. Furthermore, the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) generally increased during both P1 and P2. This study contributes to international knowledge by examining stress memory in urban trees and underscores the role of stress memory in enhancing plant resistance to periodic particulate pollution, offering insights into the adaptive mechanisms that can be applied globally, not just regionally. Full article

Introduction: Undiagnosed diabetes poses significant public health challenges in Ghana. Numerous factors may influence the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes among adults, and therefore, using a model that takes into account the intricate network of these relationships should be considered. Our goal was to evaluate fasting plasma levels, a critical indicator of diabetes, and the associated direct and indirect associated or protective factors. Methods: This research employed a cross-sectional survey to sample 1200 adults aged 25–70 years who perceived themselves as healthy and had not been previously diagnosed with diabetes from 13 indigenous communities within the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Diabetes was diagnosed based on the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria for fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profiles were determined using Mindray equipment (August 2022, China). A stepwise WHO questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. We analyzed the associations among the exogenous, mediating, and endogenous variables using a generalized structural equation model (GSEM). Results: Overall, the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in the Cape Coast Metropolis was found to be 14.2% and 3.84%, respectively. In the sex domain, females had a higher prevalence of prediabetes (15.33%) and diabetes (5.15%) than males (12.62% and 1.24%, respectively). Rural areas had the highest prevalence, followed by peri-urban areas, whereas urban areas had the lowest prevalence. In the GSEM results, we found that body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and female sex were direct predictive factors for prediabetes and diabetes, based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. Indirect factors influencing diabetes and prediabetes through waist circumference (WC) included childhood overweight status, family history, age 35–55 and 56–70, and moderate and high socioeconomic status. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, childhood overweight, low physical activity, female sex, moderate and high socioeconomic status, and market trading were also associated with high BMI, indirectly influencing prediabetes and diabetes. Total cholesterol, increased TG levels, WC, age, low physical activity, and rural dwellers were identified as indirectly associated factors with prediabetes and diabetes through SBP. Religion, male sex, and alcohol consumption were identified as predictive factors for GGT, indirectly influencing prediabetes and diabetes. Conclusions: Diabetes in indigenous communities is directly influenced by blood lipid, BMI, SBP, and alcohol levels. Childhood obesity, physical inactivity, sex, socioeconomic status, and family history could indirectly influence diabetes development. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and health-sector stakeholders, enabling them to understand the factors associated with diabetes development and implement necessary public health interventions and personalized care strategies for prevention and management in Ghana. Full article

Background/Objectives: The effectiveness of night braces alone or in combination with other treatments for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis remains unclear. This systematic review study aimed to review and analyze the available literature to determine whether night braces are an effective treatment for idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: A total of 162 databases, including Cochrane Library (reviews, protocols, trials), Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, PEDro, CINAHL (EBSCO), Ovid and Google Scholar, were searched for published articles from inception to February 2024. The available literature was screened by the following terms: “scoliosis and night-time brace”, “scoliosis and night brace”, “scoliosis and part-time bracing”, “scoliosis and Providence” and “scoliosis and Charleston”. Results: Twenty studies were included; only one study was a randomized controlled trial, and most of the studies were retrospectively designed. Providence, Charleston and Boston braces were used as night braces. The Cobb angle was evaluated in all studies, and Cobb angle change after treatment and surgical treatment rates were the parameters that were evaluated the most. In one study, the angle of trunk rotation, quality of life, perception of spinal appearance, and physical activity level were measured. In one study, sagittal plane assessments were performed in addition to the Cobb angle. Conclusions: The results of this review suggest that there is no evidence to support the use of night braces in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Randomized controlled trials with a well-designed methodology are needed to determine the efficacy of night braces. Full article

Road transport and traffic congestion significantly contribute to dust pollution, which negatively impacts the growth of roadside plants in urban areas. This study aims to quantify the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and analyze the impacts of dust deposition on different plant species and trees planted along a busy urban roadside in Lahore, Pakistan by considering seasonal variations. The APTI of each species is determined based on inputs of various biochemical parameters (leaf extract pH, ascorbic acid content, relative water content, and total chlorophyll levels), including dust deposition. In this study, laboratory analysis techniques are employed to assess these factors in selected plant species such as Mangifera indica, Saraca asoca, Cassia fistula, and Syzygium cumini. A statistical analysis is conducted to understand the pairwise correlation between various parameters and the APTI at significant and non-significant levels. Additionally, uncertainties in the inputs and APTI are addressed through a probabilistic analysis using the Monte Carlo simulation method. This study unveils seasonal variations in key parameters among selected plant species. Almost all biochemical parameters exhibit higher averages during the rainy season, followed by the summer and winter. Conversely, dust deposition on plants follows an inverse trend, with values ranging from 0.19 to 4.8 g/cm², peaking during winter, notably in Mangifera indica. APTI values, ranging from 9.39 to 14.75, indicate varying sensitivity levels across species, from sensitive (Syzygium cumini) to intermediate tolerance (Mangifera indica). Interestingly, plants display increased tolerance during regular traffic hours, reflecting a 0.9 to 5% difference between the APTI at peak and regular traffic hours. Moreover, a significant negative correlation (−0.86 at p < 0.05 level) between APTI values and dust deposition suggests a heightened sensitivity to pollutants during the winter. These insights into the relationship between dust pollution and plant susceptibility will help decision makers in the selection of resilient plants for urban areas and improve air quality. Full article

In this study, we examined over 200-year-old Ginkgo biloba L. specimens under different environmental conditions. The overall aim was to explore which factors influence their vitality and general fitness in urban environments and thus their ability to tolerate stressful habitats. In order to determine this, we used a number of different methods, including histological examinations (stomatal density and size) and physiological measurements (peroxidase enzyme activity), as well as assessing the air pollution tolerance index (APTI). The investigation of the genetic relationships between individuals was performed using flow cytometry and miRNA marker methods. The genetic tests revealed that all individuals are diploid, whereas the lus-miR168 and lus-miR408 markers indicated a kinship relation between them. These results show that the effect of different habitat characteristics can be detected through morphological and physiological responses, thus indicating relatively higher stress values for all studied individuals. A significant correlation can be found between the level of adaptability and the relatedness of the examined individuals. These results suggest that Ginkgo biloba L. is well adapted to an environment with increased stress factors and therefore suitable for use in urban areas. Full article

Air pollution is a severe problem in the modern world. Urbanization, industrialization, and traffic emit air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HCs), and particulate matter into the environment. Plants can absorb air pollutants through stomata. They adversely affect the various metabolic and physiological processes of plant species. This review describes the impact of air pollution on plant health, morphologically, physiologically, and genetically, and the tolerance ability of plants located along roadside areas. Many morphological effects, like chlorosis, necrosis, leaf area, stomatal clogging, plant productivity, leaf falling, and reduction in flower yield, are observed due to the influence of air pollution. Air pollutants also damage the DNA and affect the biochemicals of the plants, as well as pH, relative water content (RWC), simple sugar, ascorbic acid (AA), total chlorophyll content (TCH), proline, and polyamines. Some plants located under pollution stress can mitigate air pollution. Plants with higher APTI values are more tolerant of air pollution, while those with the lowest APTI values can be used as an indicator of the rate of air pollution. There is much morphological, biochemical, and DNA damage noted in this review. Different strategies can be used to diagnose the effects of air pollution in the future and develop green belts to mitigate air pollution in pollution-stressed areas. Full article

(1) Background: Semi-hanging and muscle cylinder exercises have been defined as scoliosis-specific corrective exercises. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of muscle cylinder and semi-hanging exercises on the angle of trunk rotation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). (2) Methods: Twenty-seven patients with AIS with a mean age of 18.6 years were retrospectively analyzed. The angle of trunk rotation (ATR) values were measured before and after performing semi-hanging and standing muscle cylinder exercises. Both exercises were performed for three to five respiratory cycles. The semi-hanging exercise was performed first, followed by the muscle cylinder exercise, in this order, in all participants. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze ATR changes after the exercises, and the Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare ATR changes according to the main curve location. (3) Results: The thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbar maximum ATR values were significantly increased after the semi-hanging exercise (p < 0.001) and decreased after the muscle cylinder exercise (p < 0.001). The ATR change was greater in the lumbar region than in the thoracic and thoracolumbar regions. (4) Conclusion: The results of this study of a small group of patients emphasized that one of the scoliosis-specific corrective exercises, the standing muscle cylinder exercise, improved ATR, while the other, the semi-hanging exercise, worsened ATR in patients with AIS. It is recommended that each scoliosis-specific corrective exercise be evaluated and redesigned to maximize the three-dimensional corrective effect, considering the biomechanics of the spine and the pathomechanics of scoliosis. Full article

Increasing concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) can cause a serious threat to urban air quality and human health. To reduce PM pollution in urban environments, pragmatic screening and planting of tolerant tree species can be effective and sustainable ways. However, our understanding of the effects of the capture ability of PM_2.5 on plant tolerance, and efforts to devise explicit assessment tools for suitability analysis for urban green belt plantations, are still inadequate. In this study, six common green tree species (Pinus tabuliformis, Abies holophylla, Juniperus chinensis, Salix babylonica, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Populus alba) from three pollution sites in Shenyang City, China, were collected in order to assess their PM_2.5 capture ability, biochemical characteristics, leaf microstructures, and air pollution tolerance index (APTI). The results revealed that different sites and tested plant species can significantly affect the amount of PM_2.5 retained by leaf surfaces. The PM_2.5 retention amount of Abies holophylla was the highest at the SFH site and 1.41–8.89 times that of other tested species (p < 0.05). Morphological plant attributes, such as leaf surface roughness (r = 0.52 **) and contact angle (r = −0.57 **), were strongly related to the PM_2.5 retention amount. The PM_2.5 retention amount per unit leaf area had the strongest and most significant negative influence on total chlorophyll content (r = −0.743 **), indicating that the accumulation of leaf PM_2.5 reduced the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Among the tested plants, Robinia pseudoacacia had the highest APTI value and was identified as the most resilient plant at all three sites, whereas Juniperus chinensis had the lowest APTI at all study sites. However, the integration of PM_2.5 capture ability with APTI showed Pinus tabuliformis to be the best species for the construction of urban green belts in Shenyang City. Full article

Globally, urbanization, industrialization, and transportation have worsened urban air quality in recent decades. Using sustainable, cost-effective methods to monitor and reduce air pollution is crucial. The best Nature-based Solution (NbS) for urban environmental cleanup is plants. Roadside plants are key carriers of air pollution and have various tolerances. Ziziphus spina-christi’s air pollution tolerance was assessed using the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) examined the heavy metal accumulation capacity of Ziziphus spina-Christi’s fruits and leaves. Two sampling sites were studied: a reference location remote from human activity and a densely populated metropolitan region. Ziziphus spina-christi is considered a tolerant species in Qatar, based on its calculated value of APTI in this study. Both total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid influence APTI levels and have a strong positive correlation with APTI. BCF values in leaves were higher than fruits indicating that the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi have a greater potential for metal absorption than its fruits. Moreover, the leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi showed a potential for mercury accumulation (BCF > 1), thus it is a good candidate to be used for phytoremediation in areas of mercury contamination. The integration of both APTI and BCF methods is significant and beneficial in advising policymakers and urban planners regarding suitable tree species for sustainable urban development. Full article

High complication rates and surgical revision rates following Aptis implant placement have been reported in the literature. This study evaluates the performance of the Aptis implant of twelve patients using four-dimensional kinematic analysis. The (mean) follow-up was 58 months. Wrist motion, grip strength, and kinematic analysis of both arms were used to investigate possible causes of the reported complications. In nine cases (75%), the proximal to distal translation of the distal radius along the ulnar axis in the affected forearm was too little or absent. Significant correlations were found between postoperative extension and translation of the distal radius along the ulnar axis and between the radial deviation and combined error. The four-dimensional kinematic analysis suggests that the current design of the implant could lead to limited restoration of the position of the forearm rotation axis and the translation of the radius along the ulnar axis. Full article

The breeding of resistant, high-yield, decorative ornamental plant varieties may be impacted by climate change in the future. The use of radiation induces mutations in plants, thereby increasing the genetic variability of plant species. Rudbeckia hirta has long been a very popular species in urban green space management. The goal is to examine whether gamma mutation breeding can be applied to the breeding stock. Specifically, differences were measured between the M1 and M2 generations, as well as the effect of different radiation doses belonging to the same generation. Morphological measurements showed that gamma radiation has an effect on the measured parameters in several cases (larger crop size, faster development, larger number of trichomes). Physiological measurements (examination of chlorophyll and carotenoid content, POD activity, and APTI) also showed a beneficial effect of radiation, especially at higher doses (30 Gy), for both tested generations. The treatment was also effective in the case of 45 Gy, but this radiation dose resulted in lower physiological data. The measurements show that gamma radiation has an effect on the Rudbeckia hirta strain and may play a role in breeding in the future. Full article

Background: Increased femoral anteversion (IFA) causes functional problems (i.e., tripping, frequently falling, and fatigue) by affecting the pelvis and lower extremity biomechanics. In the frontal plane, increased contralateral pelvic drop and ipsilateral hip adduction, which are mainly considered deteriorated hip abductor muscle mechanisms, are associated with hip and knee injuries. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of femoral anteversion on hip abductor weakness and frontal plane pelvis–hip biomechanics during walking. Methods: The study included nine subjects with increased femoral anteversion and a control group of eleven subjects. Maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) values of the hip abductor muscles were measured with a handheld dynamometer. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed for kinetic, kinematic, and temporo-spatial gait parameters. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference found between the MIVC values of the IFA and control groups (p = 0.14). Moreover, no significant difference was determined between the ipsilateral peak hip adduction (p = 0.088) and contralateral pelvic drop (p = 0.149) in the stance phase. Additionally, there was no correlation between the peak hip adduction angle in the stance phase and normalized MIVC values in the IFA group (r = −0.198, p = 0.44), or in the control group (r = −0.174, p = 0.55). The deviations of pelvic rotation (p = 0.022), hip internal rotation (p = 0.003), and internal foot progression (p = 0.022), were found to be higher in the IFA group than in the controls. Conclusions: IFA may not be associated with hip abductor muscle weakness, and it may not lead to the hip adduction and pelvic depression that can be seen in hip abductor weakness. Increased pelvic rotation and internal hip rotation during walking might be considered as a compensation for the femoral head–acetabulum alignment mechanism in the frontal plane. Full article

Background: Although the number of studies showing the efficacy of conservative treatment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has increased, studies with long-term follow-up are very limited. The aim of this study was to present the long-term effects of a conservative management method including exercise and brace in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with idiopathic scoliosis who presented at our department and were followed up for at least 2 years after completing the treatment. The main outcome measurements were the Cobb angle and angle of trunk rotation (ATR). Results: The cohort participants were 90.4% female, with a mean age of 11 years and the maximum Cobb angle was mean 32.1°. The mean post-treatment follow-up period was 27.8 months (range 24–71 months). The improvements after treatment in mean maximum Cobb angle (p < 0.001) and ATR (p = 0.001) were statistically significant. At the end of treatment, the maximum Cobb angle was improved in 88.1% of the patients and worsened in 11.9% compared to baseline. In the long-term follow-up evaluations, 83.3% of the curvatures remained stable. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that moderate idiopathic scoliosis in growing adolescents can be successfully halted with appropriate conservative treatment and that long-term improvement is largely maintained. Full article