Effects of Nigella sativa L. and Urtica dioica L. on selected mineral status and hematological values in CCl4-treated rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Nigella sativa L. (NS), known as black seed, or/and Urtica dioica L. (UD), known as stinging nettle root, treatments on serum Na, K, Cl, and Ca levels and some hematological values of CCl₄-treated rats. Sixty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250–300 g, were randomly allotted into 1 of 4 experimental groups: A (CCl₄-only treated), B (CCl₄+UD treated), C (CCl₄+NS treated), and D (CCl₄+UD+NS treated), each containing 15 animals. All groups received CCl₄ (0.8 mL/kg of body weight, subcutaneously, twice a week for 90 d starting d 1). In addition, B, C, and D groups also received the daily ip injection of 0.2 mL/kg NS and/or 2 mL/kg UD oils for 45 d starting d 46. Group A, on the other hand, received only 2 mL/kg normal saline solution for 45 d starting d 46. Blood samples for the biochemical analysis were taken by cardiac puncture from five randomly chosen rats in each treatment group at the beginning, d 45, and d 90 of the experiment. The CCl₄ treatment for 45 d significantly (p<0.05) increased the serum K and Ca and decreased (p<0.05) the red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), and Hb levels without changing (p>0.05) the serum Na and Cl levels. NS or UD treatments (alone or combination) for 45 d starting d 46 significantly (p<0.05) decreased the elevated serum K and Ca levels and also increased (p<0.05) the reduced RBC, WBC, PCV, and Hb levels. It is concluded that NS and/or UD treatments might ameliorate the CCl₄-induced disturbances of anemia, some minerals, and body’s defense mechanism in CCl₄-treated rats.     

Basis of the Relationship between Ash Content in the Flag Leaf and Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Kernels of Durum Wheat

The relationship between ash content and carbon isotope discrimination () was studied in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) grown in a Mediterranean region (Northwest Syria) under three different water regimes (hereafter referred to as environments). In two of these environments, 144 genotypes were cultivated under rain-fed conditions. In the third environment, 125 genotypes were cultivated under irrigation. Ash content was measured in the flag leaf about 3 weeks after anthesis, whereas was analysed in mature kernels. Total transpiration of the photosynthetic tissues of the culm contributing, from heading to maturity, to the filling of kernels was also estimated. Leaf ash content, expressed either on dry matter or leaf area basis or as total ash per blade, correlated positively (p< 0.001) with in the three environments. However, this relationship was not the result of a positive correlation across genotypes between and tissue water content. Moreover, only a small part of the variation in across genotypes was explained by concomitant changes in ash content. When all genotypes across the three environments were plotted, and ash content followed a non-linear relationship (r ² = 74), with tending to a plateau as the ash content increased. However, for the set of genotypes and environments combined, total ash content per leaf blade was positively and linearly related (r ² = 0.76) with the accumulated culm transpiration. The non-linear nature of the relationship between ash content and is sustained by the fact that culm transpiration also showed a non-linear relationship with kernel . Therefore, differences in leaf ash content between environments, and to a lesser extent between genotypes, seem to be brought about by variations in accumulated transpiration during grain formation.     

Last judgment: the visionary biology of J.B.S. Haldane

This paper seeks to reinterpret the life and work of J. B. S. Haldane by focusing on an illuminating but largely ignored essay he published in1927, “The Last Judgment” – the sequel to his better known work, Daedalus (1924). This astonishing essay expresses a vision of the human future over the next 40,000,000 years, one that revises and updates Wellsian futurism with the long range implications of the “new biology” for human destiny. That vision served as a kind of lifelong credo, one that infused and informed his diverse scientific work, political activities, and popular writing, and that gave unity and coherence to his remarkable career. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fouling of ceramic membranes during microfiltration of model solutions

A model study of the microfiltration of fatty acids (C2 to C8) dissolved in a synthetic ultrafiltrate was performed. Ceramic membranes of 0.1 and 0.2 m were used. Results showed that minerals from the ultrafiltrate were involved in membrane fouling, while fatty acids were poorly rejected.On 0.1 m membranes, modelisation of fouling exhibited two different steps of fouling, a first one due to adsorption of solutes, and a second one involving particles deposit onto the membrane. On 0.2 m membranes, only fouling due to particles deposit was observed in modelisation. Results of fouling and rejection pointed out the great difference between 0.1 and0.2 m membranes.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparative Evaluation Of Raman Spectroscopy At Different Wavelengths For Extremophile Exemplars

Raman spectra have been obtained for extremophiles from several geological environments; selected examples have been taken from hot and cold deserts comprising psychrophiles, thermophiles and halophiles. The purpose of this study is the assessment of the effect of the wavelength of the laser excitation on the ability to determine unique information from the Raman spectra about the specificity of detection of biomolecules produced as a result of the survival strategies adopted by organisms in extreme terrestrial environments. It was concluded that whereas FT-Raman spectroscopy at 1064 nm gave good quality results the time required to record the data was relatively large compared with other wavelengths of excitation but that better access to the CH stretching region for organic molecules was given. Shorter wavelength excitation of biomolecules in the blue-green regions of the visible spectrum using a conventional dispersive spectrometer was more rapid but very dependent upon the type of chemical compound being studied; most relevant biomolecules fluoresced at these wavelengths but carotenoids exhibited a resonance effect which resulted in an improved detection capability. Minerals and geological materials, in contrast, were best studied at these visible wavelengths. In general, the best compromise system for the excitation of the Raman spectra of both geological and biological materials was provided using a 785 nm laser coupled with a dispersive spectrometer, especially for accessing the 1800–200 cm⁻¹ wavenumber shift region where much of the definitive analytical information resides. This work will have conclusions relevant to the use of miniaturised Raman spectrometers for the detection of biomolecules in extraterrestrial planetary exploration.     

Production Of Low Molecular Weight Hydrocarbons By Volcanic Eruptions On Early Mars

Methane and other larger hydrocarbons have been proposed as possible greenhouse gases on early Mars. In this work we explore if volcanic processes may have been a source for such molecules based on theoretical and experimental considerations. Geologic evidence and numerical simulations indicate that explosive volcanism was widely distributed throughout Mars. Volcanic lightning is typically produced in such explosive volcanism. Therefore this geologic setting was studied to determine if lightning could be a source for hydrocarbons in volcanic plumes. Volcanic lightning was simulated by focusing a high-energy infrared laser beam inside of a Pyrex reactor that contained the proposed volcanic gas mixture composed of 64% CH₄, 24% H₂, 10% H₂O and 2% N₂, according to an accretion model and the nitrogen content measured in Martian meteorites. The analysis of products was performed by gas chromatography coupled to infrared and mass spectroscopy. Eleven hydrocarbons were identified among the products, of which acetylene (C₂H₂) was the most abundant. A thermochemical model was used to determine which hydrocarbons could arise only from volcanic heat. In this case, acetylene and ethylene are formed at magmatic temperatures. Our results indicate that explosive volcanism may have injected into the atmosphere of early Mars ∼6×10¹² g yr⁻¹ of acetylene, and ∼2×10¹² g yr⁻¹ of 1,3-butadiyne, both produced by volcanic lightning, ∼5×10¹¹ g yr⁻¹ of ethylene produced by volcanic heat, and 10¹³ g yr⁻¹ of methane.     

Effect of Immobilizing Substances and Salinity on Heavy Metals Availability to Wheat Grown on Sewage Sludge-Contaminated Soil

The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the effect of immobilizing substances and NaCl salinity on the availability of heavy metals: Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In greenhouse pot experiment, a sewage sludge amended soil was treated with the following immobilizing substances: three clay minerals (Na-bentonite, Ca-bentonite and zeolite), iron oxides (goethite and hematite), and phosphate fertilizers (superphosphate and Novaphos). The pots were planted with wheat and were irrigated either with deionized or saline water containing 1600 mg L^?1 NaCl. Wheat was harvested two times for shoot metal concentrations and biomass measurements. Metal species in soil solution were estimated using the software MINEQL+.

The addition of metal immobilizing substances to the soil significantly decreased metal availability to wheat. The largest reduction in metal bioavailability was found for bentonites. The irrigation with saline water (1600 mg L^?1 NaCl) resulted in a significant increase in metal chloride species (MCl⁺ and MCl₂ ⁰). The highest metal complexation with Cl occurred for Cd, which was about 53% of its total soil solution concentration. The total concentration of Cd (Cd_T) in soil solution increased by 1.6–2.8-fold due to saline water. The NaCl salinity caused a significant increase in uptake and shoot concentration of Cd for two harvests and small but significant increase in shoot Pb concentration for the second harvest. It was concluded that the use of bentonites is the most promising for the reduction of heavy metal availability to plants. Saline water containing 1600 mg L^{? 1} NaCl increased the availability of Cd and Pb to wheat and decreased the efficiency of bentonites to immobilize soluble Cd.     

Sensory evaluation of fruit quality and nutritional composition of 20 breadfruit (Artocarpus, Moraceae) cultivars

Twenty breadfruit cultivars growing in afield genebank at Kahanu Garden, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hana, Maui, Hawaii, were evaluated for sensory attributes and nutrient composition. A taste panel scored eight flavor/aroma attributes, five textural attributes, and color. There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) in aroma, visual texture, flavor intensity, sweetness, starchiness, moistness, stringiness, firmness, and color. The greatest differences were in color and texture. Nutrient analyses showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) for energy, carbohydrates, ash, crude protein, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, copper, and zinc. Considering the versatility of breadfruit as a food, its ease of production, and its nutritional value, the numerous good quality flavorful cultivars available should be more widely grown for sustainable agriculture and food security.     

Salt-imposed restrictions on the uptake of macroelements by roots of Arabidopsis thaliana

The aim of this investigation was to identify the growth limiting factors in Arabidopsis thaliana subjected to a mild salt stress. Two natural accessions (Col and N1438) were compared. In spite of their morphological and developmental similarity, they have been previously shown to differ in the response of their superoxide dismutase genes to salt stress (Physiol Plant 132:293–305, 2008). Thirty-day-old seedlings were grown for 15 days using a split-root configuration in which the root system was divided into two equal parts: the first was immersed in a complete nutrient solution with 50 mM NaCl added, while the second part was immersed in either complete or incomplete K-, Ca-, or N-free medium. Using this approach, we demonstrated that K⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake was impaired in the roots subjected to NaCl. There was no indication of the salt-induced inhibition of N uptake. If K⁺ or Ca²⁺ were available from salt-free medium, plants were able to grow at normal rate and accumulate large amounts of Na⁺ in the shoots. These results indicate that the sensitivity of Arabidopsis growth to mild salinity was probably due to an inhibition of K⁺ or Ca²⁺ root transport by salt rather than due to salt accumulation in shoots. Furthermore, the salt sensitivity of ion transport in roots seemed to depend on the genotype, since K⁺ was limiting for Col growth, in contrast to N1438, the growth of which was limited by Ca²⁺.