0
selected
-
1.
Nickel; whether toxic or essential for plants and environment - A review.
Shahzad, B, Tanveer, M, Rehman, A, Cheema, SA, Fahad, S, Rehman, S, Sharma, A
Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB. 2018;:641-651
Abstract
Nickel (Ni) is becoming a toxic pollutant in agricultural environments. Due to its diverse uses from a range of common household items to industrial applications, it is essential to examine Ni bioavailability in soil and plants. Ni occurs in the environment (soil, water and air) in very small concentrations and eventually taken up by plants through roots once it becomes available in soil. It is an essential nutrient for normal plant growth and development and required for the activation of several enzymes such as urease, and glyoxalase-I. Ni plays important roles in a wide range of physiological processes including seed germination, vegetative and reproductive growth, photosynthesis as well as in nitrogen metabolism. Therefore, plants cannot endure their life cycle without adequate Ni supply. However, excessive Ni concentration can lead to induce ROS production affecting numerous physiological and biochemical processes such as photosynthesis, transpiration, as well as mineral nutrition and causes phytotoxicity in plants. ROS production intensifies the disintegration of plasma membranes and deactivates functioning of vital enzymes through lipid peroxidation. This review article explores the essential roles of Ni in the life cycle of plant as well as its toxic effects in details. In conclusion, we have proposed different viable approaches for remediation of Ni-contaminated soils.
-
2.
Oxygen activation by mononuclear Mn, Co, and Ni centers in biology and synthetic complexes.
Fiedler, AT, Fischer, AA
Journal of biological inorganic chemistry : JBIC : a publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. 2017;(2-3):407-424
Abstract
The active sites of metalloenzymes that catalyze O2-dependent reactions generally contain iron or copper ions. However, several enzymes are capable of activating O2 at manganese or nickel centers instead, and a handful of dioxygenases exhibit activity when substituted with cobalt. This minireview summarizes the catalytic properties of oxygenases and oxidases with mononuclear Mn, Co, or Ni active sites, including oxalate-degrading oxidases, catechol dioxygenases, and quercetin dioxygenase. In addition, recent developments in the O2 reactivity of synthetic Mn, Co, or Ni complexes are described, with an emphasis on the nature of reactive intermediates featuring superoxo-, peroxo-, or oxo-ligands. Collectively, the biochemical and synthetic studies discussed herein reveal the possibilities and limitations of O2 activation at these three "overlooked" metals.
-
3.
Optimal Shaping of Root Canal Systems: Demonstrating the Use of Controlled Memor Ni-Ti Files.
Mounce, R
Dentistry today. 2015;(7):110, 112, 114
-
4.
Systematic Review of Chromium and Nickel Exposure During Pregnancy and Impact on Child Outcomes.
McDermott, S, Salzberg, DC, Anderson, AP, Shaw, T, Lead, J
Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A. 2015;(21-22):1348-68
Abstract
Some forms of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) are toxic, especially with chronic elevated exposure, and certain forms such as hexavalent chromium or nickel carbonyl were labeled as carcinogens. Since both metals are naturally occurring, and used in industrial processes, individuals may be exposed through ingestion of contaminated food or water, inhalation, or dermal contact. This study focused on the impact of toxic forms of Cr and Ni during pregnancy and outcomes in newborn and young children. A systematic literature review following "The Navigation Guide" was applied, and 16 reports that satisfied the inclusion criteria were scored. Six papers studied birth weight, prematurity, or gestational age: one found an association between Ni and small for gestational age, while another linked Ni with low birth weight; however, four reported no marked associations. Of six studies that examined birth defects, three found no significant associations; one noted an association between Ni and neural tube defects; one showed an association between Ni and structural birth defects; and one reported a weak effect for Cr exposure and musculoskeletal defects. In the remaining four studies, weak associations were found for hexavalent Cr and neuroblastoma, Ni and autism spectrum disorder, Cr and Ni and DNA damage, and Cr and lymphocyte damage. Among the studies that were rated as good for execution and reliability, there was weak evidence of an association between Ni and autism spectrum disorder and small for gestational age, but no significant association between Cr and a child outcome.
-
5.
Evolution of Macromolecular Docking Techniques: The Case Study of Nickel and Iron Metabolism in Pathogenic Bacteria.
Musiani, F, Ciurli, S
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2015;(8):14265-92
Abstract
The interaction between macromolecules is a fundamental aspect of most biological processes. The computational techniques used to study protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions have evolved in the last few years because of the development of new algorithms that allow the a priori incorporation, in the docking process, of experimentally derived information, together with the possibility of accounting for the flexibility of the interacting molecules. Here we review the results and the evolution of the techniques used to study the interaction between metallo-proteins and DNA operators, all involved in the nickel and iron metabolism of pathogenic bacteria, focusing in particular on Helicobacter pylori (Hp). In the first part of the article we discuss the methods used to calculate the structure of complexes of proteins involved in the activation of the nickel-dependent enzyme urease. In the second part of the article, we concentrate on two applications of protein-DNA docking conducted on the transcription factors HpFur (ferric uptake regulator) and HpNikR (nickel regulator). In both cases we discuss the technical expedients used to take into account the conformational variability of the multi-domain proteins involved in the calculations.
-
6.
Adverse effects of nickel in transosseous wires and surgical implants: literature review.
Nwashindi, A, Dim, EM
Nigerian journal of medicine : journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria. 2014;(4):335-43
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transosseous wires used in the management of fractures are stainless steel alloys which contain nickel 14.5%, chromium 17.6%, iron 62.5% and molybdenum 2.8%. Gradual disintegration of the transosseous wires release nickel into the blood leading to increase nickel concentration in the blood. Nickel has been found to have some adverse systemic effects on the body. The aim of this paper is to discuss the sources of Nickel in the body as well as the systemic adverse effects of Nickel as a degradation product of stainless steel surgical implants. METHODS A study of pertinent literature on nickel as a content of stainless steel alloy used in implant surgery was done, taking note also of other sources of nickel in the body, the toxicokinetics of nickel and the related adverse effects of this metal and its compound in humans. RESULTS As outcome,the sources of human exposure to nickel,distribution and metabolism of nickel in the body, host responseto stainless steel wires and the adverse effects of nickel in the body are presented. CONCLUSION It may be necessary to discourage the use of wires or implants containing nickel in the management of fractures.The need for removal of these implants after they have served their purposes is emphasized.
-
7.
Opinion: nickel and urease in plants: still many knowledge gaps.
Polacco, JC, Mazzafera, P, Tezotto, T
Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology. 2013;:79-90
Abstract
We propose experimental strategies to expand our understanding of the role of Ni in plants, beyond the Ni-metallocenter of urease, still the only identified Ni-containing plant enzyme. While Ni has been considered an essential mineral for plants there is a clear lack of knowledge of its involvement in metabolic steps except the urease-catalyzed conversion of urea to ammonia and bicarbonate. We argue that urease (and hence, Ni) plays an important role in optimal N-use efficiency under various N regimes by recycling urea-N, which is generated endogenously exclusively from arginase action on arginine. We further suggest that urease and arginase may connect different metabolic compartments under stress situations, and therefore may be involved in stress tolerance. To determine possible non-urease roles of Ni we call for experimental manipulation of both Ni and N availability in urease-negative mutants. Plant ureases have been shown to have defense roles, distinct from their ureolytic activity, and we call for investigation of whether Ni helps maintain a urease conformation or stability for these non-ureolytic defense roles. The beneficial effects of Ni at upper concentration limits have not been fully examined. We posit a "Ni strategy" of plants whose growth/performance is stimulated by unusual amounts of soil Ni, for defense and/or for maximal N-use efficiency. While we know little about Ni and urease roles in N metabolism and defense, virtually nothing is known about Ni roles in plant-microbial 'consortia.' And, much of what we know of Ni and urease is limited to only a few plants, e.g. soybean, potato and Arabidopsis, and we suggest studies vigorously extended to other plants.
-
8.
A review on nickel-free nitrogen containing austenitic stainless steels for biomedical applications.
Talha, M, Behera, CK, Sinha, OP
Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications. 2013;(7):3563-75
Abstract
The field of biomaterials has become a vital area, as these materials can enhance the quality and longevity of human life. Metallic materials are often used as biomaterials to replace structural components of the human body. Stainless steels, cobalt-chromium alloys, commercially pure titanium and its alloys are typical metallic biomaterials that are being used for implant devices. Stainless steels have been widely used as biomaterials because of their very low cost as compared to other metallic materials, good mechanical and corrosion resistant properties and adequate biocompatibility. However, the adverse effects of nickel ions being released into the human body have promoted the development of "nickel-free nitrogen containing austenitic stainless steels" for medical applications. Nitrogen not only replaces nickel for austenitic structure stability but also much improves steel properties. Here we review the harmful effects associated with nickel and emphatically the advantages of nitrogen in stainless steel, as well as the development of nickel-free nitrogen containing stainless steels for medical applications. By combining the benefits of stable austenitic structure, high strength, better corrosion and wear resistance and superior biocompatibility in comparison to the currently used austenitic stainless steel (e.g. 316L), the newly developed nickel-free high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel is a reliable substitute for the conventionally used medical stainless steels.
-
9.
A review on zinc and nickel adsorption on natural and modified zeolite, bentonite and vermiculite: examination of process parameters, kinetics and isotherms.
Malamis, S, Katsou, E
Journal of hazardous materials. 2013;:428-61
Abstract
Adsorption and ion exchange can be effectively employed for the treatment of metal-contaminated wastewater streams. The use of low-cost materials as sorbents increases the competitive advantage of the process. Natural and modified minerals have been extensively employed for the removal of nickel and zinc from water and wastewater. This work critically reviews existing knowledge and research on the uptake of nickel and zinc by natural and modified zeolite, bentonite and vermiculite. It focuses on the examination of different parameters affecting the process, system kinetics and equilibrium conditions. The process parameters under investigation are the initial metal concentration, ionic strength, solution pH, adsorbent type, grain size and concentration, temperature, agitation speed, presence of competing ions in the solution and type of adsorbate. The system's performance is evaluated with respect to the overall metal removal and the adsorption capacity. Furthermore, research works comparing the process kinetics with existing reaction kinetic and diffusion models are reviewed as well as works examining the performance of isotherm models against the experimental equilibrium data.
-
10.
No allergic reaction after TKA in a chrome-cobalt-nickel-sensitive patient: case report and review of the literature.
Thienpont, E, Berger, Y
Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA. 2013;(3):636-40
Abstract
Hypersensitivity to metallic implants remains relatively unpredictable and poorly understood. Although 20-25 % of total joint arthroplasty patients develop metal sensitivity, only a few highly susceptible persons (<1 %) exhibit symptoms. We present a case report of a fifty-two-year-old woman with a preoperatively documented metal allergy who underwent bilateral total knee arthroplasty using a titanium-niobium-coated implant on one side and a chrome-cobalt implant on the other side because of a logistics problem. At 2-year follow-up, no clinical symptoms of allergy or loosening of the implant were observed. Level of evidence IV.