TMKarpiński Publisher
Not a member yet
270 research outputs found
Sort by
Investigation of the effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic field on the lifespan of the red blood cells in vitro
Get PDFIn recent years, studies have indicated that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may have harmful effects on human health. The effects on human health of the 50 Hz extremely low frequency EMF (ELF-EMF), which is often used in daily life, are still controversial. In our study, we investigated the in vitro effects of 50 Hz ELF-EMF on the lifespan of erythrocytes, which have no nucleus and organelles, and are therefore relatively more sensitive compared to other cells in the body to any harmful effect that may come from outside. Whole blood obtained from healthy volunteers was exposed to 50 Hz, 0.3 mT ELF-EMF over 35 days. After this time, erythrocytes (red blood cell, RBC) counts in blood, hematocrit (HCT) value, main corpuscular volume (MCV), and erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF), an indicator of aging, were examined. At the end of 35 days, RBC and HCT were decreased while MCV and EOF were increased in the blood samples of both the EMF-exposed group and the non-exposed group. However, while there were no statistically significant changes in terms of RBC counts, and HCT between the two groups, it was observed that MCV and EOF increased significantly less in the EMF-exposed group compared to the non-exposed group. These results suggest that 50 Hz ELF-EMF exposure does not affect the lifespan of erythrocytes in vitro, but it may extend erythrocytes’ lifecycles due to a reduction in osmotic fragility of the erythrocytes in in vivo conditions.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.444733
The antibiotic resistance study of Enterobacteriaceae, Yersiniaceae and Morganellaceae bacteria isolated from broilers (outside veterinary control) in western Algeria
Get PDFIn the context of our study of the animal side, especially in broiler chickens, the breeding of the latter requires the use of antibiotics for treatment and prophylaxis purpose; to give a closer look at the antibiotic resistance status of broiler chickens in Western Algeria. The bacteria Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Salmonella, Serratia were present and showed a high multidrug-resistance at a percentage of 67.14%, 63.64%, 60%, 57.27%, 50% respectively. The forty-nine bacteria identified belong to different families of Enterobacteriaceae, Yersiniaceae and Morganellaceae have shown an overall resistance of 61.22%. Presented resistance to cefazolin 91.84%, flumequine 89.80%, neomycin 83.67%, ceftiofur 79.59%, ampicillin 73.47%, trimethoprim 73.47%, aztreonam 57.14%, colistin 48.98 %, nadilixic acid 32.65%, streptomycin 30.61%, gentamicin 12.24%. To study the sensitivity, critical values to antibiotics a statistical Student's t-test was used. All bacteria were significantly resistant (P ≤ 0.05) to the following antibiotics: flumequine, neomycin, cefazolin, trimethoprim, ampicillin, and ceftiofur. However, a low sensitivity was also noted to gentamicin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin (P ≤ 0.05). Some isolated bacteria were resistant to many antibiotics, with resistance from 3 to 10 antibiotics simultaneously. The highest percentage of all bacteria (28.57%) were resistant to 8 antibiotics, while the lowest percentage of all bacteria (2.04%) were resistant to 3 and 10 antibiotics.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.458947
SHERLOCK and DETECTR CRISPR-CAS systems as better diagnostic tools for COVID-19
Get PDFSARS-CoV-2, the mighty manslayer, responsible for COVID-19, has currently killed over 1.54 million people worldwide and 141,000 in India alone. It has affected around 67 million people globally and 9.68 million in India. It has quarantined the whole world. Doctors and scientists are working around the clock to save the world from this deadly virus. Since the number of patients is increasing rapidly, it is essential to test as many suspects as possible. But with the diagnostic tests that are being used currently, the polymerase chain reaction, antibody detection (Serological tests), Rapid Diagnostic tests (RDT), antigen tests and Isothermal Amplification assays are time consuming and there is a high chance that the test might come back with the wrong results. SHERLOCK and DETECTR are CRISPR-based diagnostic tool that were recently worked upon and showed very promising results. The test results come back in less than 40 minutes and the tests are far more accurate than all of the current diagnostics which makes them far more efficient than the others.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.523735
Patterns of plant use in religious offerings of Odisha
Get PDFThe study was conducted within the course of two years (2016-2018) to explore the indigenous knowledge and traditional utilization pattern of plant species for the worship of the goddess Durga in coastal districts of Odisha, India. This article aims to document traditional methods of use of plant species which provides new insights and opportunities for sustainable and multipurpose use of resources and offers contemporary strategies for preserving cultural and ecological diversity. The information was gathered from literature as well as field-collected data and interviewed informants. Altogether 53 plant species belonging to 31 families and 49 genera are recorded. Roots, stems, leaves, inflorescence, seeds, and fruit are the most commonly used part for the worship of the goddess Durga. Most of the plants have curative properties. These plant species have been instrumental for indigenous people in providing substantial livelihood support. The present study may be used to motivate the general public to cultivate, preserve, and judicious utilization of such important plants for the conservation of nature and ecological research.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.490651
Phytochemical characterization, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Salvia officinalis (L.) extracts from the Tiaret region
Get PDFThis work aims the valorization of a medicinal plant known by its traditional use, Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), by phytochemical characterization and evaluation of the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of their extracts. The antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH method and the antibacterial potential was determined by the diffusion method. The quantitative determination revealed that the ethanolic extract has a content of 8.04% for polyphenolic content and 17.4 % for flavonoids. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of S. officinalis showed that the ethanolic extract of S. officinalis presented the higher antiradical effect manifested with IC50 of 0.106±0.001 mg/ml. In addition, the antibacterial activity showed the strong capacity of S. officinalis methanolic extract to inhibit B. subtilis, M. luteus, E. coli and S. aureus with a diameter inhibition zone of 27.06±1.49; 15.43±2.23; 11.6±0.52 and 11.5±2.17 mm respectively. While the activity of the ethanolic extract was 26.62±2.97 mm against B. subtilis, 16.51±2.36 mm against M. luteus, 13.62±0.55 mm for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa (12.30±1.59 mm). The macrodilution method (MIC) showed a range of 625 to >5000 µg/ml. The study of the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of extracts of S. officinalis suggested that this plant represented a natural source of bioactive molecules with very important biological activities.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.512932
Withania somnifera against glutamate excitotoxicity and neuronal cell loss in a scopolamine-induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Get PDFAlzheimer’s disease, a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no prevention and cure, affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system involved in 50% of basic brain functions, especially cortical and hippocampal regions, like memory, cognition, and learning. The glutamate-mediated toxicity is termed as excitotoxicity. The present study was aimed to determine whether the methanolic and water extracts of root from the medicinal plant, Withania somnifera, could decrease the glutamate excitotoxicity and its related neuronal cell loss in a scopolamine-induced animal model of Alzheimer's disease. The rats were randomly divided into different groups of 5 in each: normal control - treated orally with saline; AD model - injected intra peritoneally with scopolamine (2 mg/Kg body wt) alone to induce Alzheimer's disease; AD model rats treated orally with the methanolic extract (AD+ME-WS) (300 mg/Kg body wt), water extract (AD+WE-WS) (300 mg/Kg body wt), and donepezil hydrochloride, a standard control (AD+DZ) (5 mg/Kg body wt) for 30 consecutive days. Increased glutamate (Glu) levels and decreased glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity were reversed with Withania somnifera root extracts in both the cerebral cortex and hippocampus regions in scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease model rat brain. The histopathological studies of the same treatment also showed protection against neuronal cell loss in both regions. These results support the idea that these extracts could be effective for the reduction of brain damage by preventing glutamate excitotoxicity generated neuronal cell loss in the scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease model.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.442677
Polyploidy promotes Harderian glands function under photo-oxidative stress in desert rodents
Get PDFThe presence of higher-ploidy cells within Harderian glands (HG) of desert rodents could be explained as an adaptive response to mitigate the effects of photo-oxidative stress. The principally products of HG are porphyrins, pigmentary accretions which interact with the intense luminosity of the Sahara and, then produce reactive oxygen species. Thus, the gland permanently suffers a physiological oxidative stress, with a great number of sings of degeneration, but without compromising the gland integrity. In this work, we used light and transmission electron microscopy to examine the morphological features of cell ploidy in HG of three species of Gerbillidae. Psamomys obesus, Meriones lybicus and Gerbillus tarabuli. The results showed that, the glands of these species are large in size and lobulated. The glandular parenchyma consists of tubulo-alveoli surrounding a lumen into which the secretions are discharged. Frequently cells are binucleated and multinucleated. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the presence of secretory cells with conspicuous nuclei and sometimes with micronuclei. Binuclear cells are created by acytokinetic mitosis. No cell membranes within the cytoplasm are observed. Our results provide morphological evidences, that HG of desert rodents employ polyploidy as cellular adaptive response to extreme arid environment.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.509212
Use of nanomaterials for the immobilization of industrially important enzymes
Get PDFImmobilization enables enzymes to be held in place so that they can be easily separated from the product when needed and can be used again. Conventional methods of immobilization include adsorption, encapsulation, entrapment, cross linking and covalent binding. However, conventional methods have several drawbacks including reduced stability, loss of biomolecules, less enzyme loading or activity and limited diffusion. The aim of this study is the evaluation of importance of nanomaterials for the immobilization of industrially important enzymes. Nano materials are now in trend for the immobilization of different enzymes due to their physiochemical properties. Gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, nano diamonds, graphene, carbon nanotubes and others are used for immobilization. Among covalent and non-covalent immobilization of enzymes involving both single and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, non-covalent immobilization with functionalized carbon nanotubes is superior. Therefore, enzymes immobilized with nanomaterials possess greater stability, retention of catalytic activity and reusability of enzymes
Isolation and characterization of rhizobia from the root nodule of some cultivated legume crops
Get PDFBiological nitrogen fixation (BNF) as a result of mutual symbiosis between the rhizobia and the cultivated legume have a vital role to balance the nutrient paucity in the soil. Modern researches shows that the BNF can be the important factors regulating and maintaining the defendable agriculture and ensuring food security especially in the developing countries. The use of artificial nitrogen fertilizers to rise crop yield is an internment farming practice, despite its unfavorable effects and hazards to the environment and human population which can be substituted by rhizobial inoculants as a bio-fertilizers. The present study was aimed to isolate and characterize the Rhizobium from the nine different selected legumes. The Rhizobium bacterium was isolated from the nodules of the nine legume plants on YEMA medium which was found to show white translucent, circular convex colonies and characterized by the non-absorption of Congo red dye. The strains were found to be fast growing except for the rhizobial strains isolated from the Soybean and cowpeas (Bradyrhizobium) which were slow growing. The various biochemical tests of the isolated strains like catalase, bromothymol blue, Urea hydrolysis were favorable while Glucose-Peptone Agar (GPA), starch hydrolysis, Citrate utilization were found to be negative. For the ability to utilize the 2% NaCl, the strains TFR showed positive growth, the strains PSR, PhVR, VUR showed the poor tolerance while the rest of the strains showed no tolerance to the 2% NaCl.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.490625
Antifungal and antioxidant activities of Artemisia herba-alba Asso
Get PDFArtemisia herba-alba Asso was used since ancient times as a painkiller of gynecological diseases and in the Moroccan folk medicine to treat chronic disease like diabetes, arterial hypertension. The genus of Artemisia was marked as a member of the family of Asteraceae. White wormwood was mentioned also on the list of the flora of Tell Atlas (Oran) subsector as an abundance species with 93 specimens. Chemical analysis of essential oils obtained from this plant by hydrodistillation, revealed the presence of different chemical species, contains santonin, lactones of sesquiterpenic acids. Flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins were found in extracts. In the most cases, there was no toxic effect observed on animals after receiving repeated or single doses of A. herba-alba Asso either in the form of extracts or essential oils. Essential oils, organic and aqueous extracts of the same plant have shown antioxidant properties against free radicals measured by DPPH, β-carotene-bleaching and metal chelating power tests. There is a great potency of this plant by interacting of its compounds with constituents of fungal cells; chitin, wall of cell, membrane ergosterol and eukaryotic nucleus, and by way of consequence disrupting their synthesis. It is well-known, that the hyphal growth of fungal pathogens was inhibited by sesquiterpenes lactones. This plant seemed potent in term of biological activities and can be used as potential alternative remedies for the treatment of many infectious and oxidative diseases.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.555272