On the genetic components of the responsiveness of Kniphofia to growth regulators and sugars★

As part of an ongoing study about the genetic determinants of shoot regeneration we tested the hypothesis that the process of shoot formation and rooting in tissue culture involves groups of genetic determinants that can be discerned from each other. We used Kniphofia lines that were part of a breeding program and were crossed to produce a F1 hybrid. We used the Kniphofia propagation protocol to study the response of the parental lines to the propagation protocol and to see if we can discern some genetic insight from the F1 cross. It was found that the response to glucose was a receive type genetic response while the response to cytokinin to auxin ratio varied and dependent on the type of auxin. But in general, the response to cytokinin to auxin ratio was dominant and additive in most cases. The response to IBA in the rooting medium was semi dominant. This is publication number 05/05 from Horticulture Institute Aro.     

Radiation synthesis, characterization and dye adsorption of alginate-organophilic montmorillonite nanocomposite

In this paper, the preparation, characterization and dye adsorption properties of nanocomposite (calcium alginate/organophilic montmorillonite) (CA/OMMT) were investigated. A new nanocomposite consisting of alginate and OMMT was prepared by polymerization using γ-rays irradiation as initiator. Physical characteristics of CA/OMMT were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectrophotometery (IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the corresponding selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Two textile dyes, acid green B and direct pink 3B, were used as model anionic dye. Factors affecting dye sorption, such as pH, sorbent concentration and temperature of each dye solution were extensively investigated. It was found from the study that the sorption of dyes by the nanocomposite is pH-dependent and maximum sorption was obtained at pH 2. The thermodynamic data showed that dye adsorption onto alginate was spontaneous, exothermic, and a physisorption reaction. On the basis of the data of the present investigation, one could conclude that the as-prepared adsorbents exhibited excellent affinity for the dye, and can be applied to treat wastewater containing anionic dyes.     

500-MHz1H NMR studies of insulin: Complete assignment of histidine resonances

The two histidines of the insulin monomer play a vital role in the organization of insulin into insulin hexamers. The B10 histidines bind to zinc to form two-zinc insulin hexamer, and both the B5 and B10 histidines are implicated in the formation of four-zinc insulin hexamer. These two histidines are both accessible to solvent in the dimeric form of insulin, the predominant species present at pH 2–3. In the present work we report the first 500-MHz¹H NMR studies of insulin. At this frequency all four proton resonances from the two histidines of each equivalent monomer are resolved. The resonances are assigned to the C(2)- and C(4)-imidazole protons of B5 His and B10 His employing Carr-Purcell pulse sequences to detect singlets and to observe approximateT ₂ relaxation times. Zinc-free bovine insulin at pH 2.9 was examined at temperatures up to 60°C in acetate buffer and in urea of varying concentrations. The environments of B5 His in molecule I and molecule II of the dimer must be the same, with the same being true for B10 His, since a total of only four sharp resonances are seen. Our assignments for the two C(2) protons are consistent with those determined from recent studies of human (B5 Ala) insulin.     

Chemical Composition and in Vitro Antioxidant,Anti-Alzheimer,Anti-Diabetic,Anti-Tyrosinase,and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils and Extracts Derived from Various Parts of the Algerian Calendula Suffruticosa Vahlsubsp. boissieri Lanza

Calendula suffruticosa Vahl subsp. boissieri Lanza is well-known for its medicinal properties in northeastern Algeria. As far as literature has been able to prove, no study has attempted to make a phytochemical or biological activity evaluation (antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors and antimicrobial potential). This work intends to evaluate, for the first time, the chemical constituents and study the previously mentioned biological activities of C. suffruticosa boissieri essential oil and different sections (flowers, leaves, roots) as well as the effect of changing the solvent (ethanol 70 %) and (methanol 70 %) on these activities. The essential oil of aerial parts of this plant was investigated using GC/MS, and 45 compounds were discovered, accounting for 98.01 % of the essential oil, including 23 monoterpenes, 6 sesquiterpenes, 12 diterpenes, 1 coumarin, 3 alkanes, methyl-cyclohexane (23.73 %), limonene (25.02 %), and o-cymene (13.20 %). Five methods were used to study the antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC, reducing power, and β-carotene bleaching assay), where the results were impressive, especially for the essential oil. In addition, the hydroethanolic solvent (70 %) was found to be the most effective solvent for extraction in general compared to the hydromethanolic solvent (70 %). The extracts and essential oils of C. suffruticosa boissieri also showed a strong inhibiting ability against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, anti-α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and antimicrobials, a very valuable antioxidant, which is a real discovery. Based on these results, it can be said that this plant has important biological activities, so it can be used in the phytotherapy, food, or pharmaceutical sectors.     

Effects of copper oxide nanoparticles to Solanum nigrum and its potential for phytoremediation

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - The significant use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has generated worries over their impacts on the ecosystem and human health due to their...     

Electrodes in external electrohysterography: a systematic literature review

BackgroundIn low-income countries, pregnant women do not have easy access to health care, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. In this context, they can be surprised by the uterine contractions that precede childbirth and sometimes find themselves giving birth at home or on the way to the nearest health facility (located miles away from their home). In view of the development of an external uterine electrohysterogram acquisition system for labour prediction, a review of the literature on electrodes and their characteristics is necessary.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted to collate information on the use of electrodes in external EHG recording and their characteristics.ResultsWet electrodes based on Ag/AgCl redox chemistry are the most common type of electrodes for EHG, employed in different configurations on the pregnant woman’s abdomen. All positioning configurations are around the vertical median axis if they are not placed directly on it. Positioning below the navel seems to be the most efficient. The number of source, reference, and ground electrodes used varies from one author to another, as does the distance between the electrodes.ConclusionTwo well-positioned source electrodes on the vertical median axis, with ground electrode on the right side of the hip and reference one on the left side, are able to generate a good external EHG recording signal. The minimum allowed inter-electrode distance is approximately 17.5 to 25mm.