Influence of exogenous urea on photosynthetic pigments, 14CO2 uptake, and urease activity in Elodea densa-environmental implications

This paper analyzes the effect of exogenous urea in increased concentration gradient (0, 100, 500 and 1,000 mg L-1) on photosynthetic pigments (measured spectrophotometrically), uptake of 14CO2 (using radioisotope), and urease activity (by measuring ammonia with Nessler's reagent) in leaves of Elodea densa Planch. We have observed that low concentration of urea (100 mg L-1) stimulates the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and intensifies photosynthesis in E. densa, whereas high concentration (1,000 mg L-1) suppresses these processes. Urease activity increased by approximately 2.7 and 8 fold when exogenous urea concentrations were 100 and 500 mg L-1, respectively. However, exogenous urea in high concentration (1,000 mg L-1) decreased urease activity by 1.5 fold compared to the control. The necessity of mitigating urea and other nitrogen-containing compounds (NH3 from urea) in water bodies has been discussed with emphasis on the potential for phytoremediation of urea using common water weed viz. E. densa. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

High dose of urea enhances the nickel and copper toxicity in Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa Planch. Casp.)

Selected cellular responses for urea (5 mM), Ni (100 μM), and Cu (100 μM) treatments and their combined effects on the leaves of a submerged macrophyte Brazilian elodea (Egeriadensa Planch. Casp.) were studied for 4 days. It was observed that the high dose of urea (5 mM) had a significant toxic effect on some physiological and biochemical characteristics of E. densa such as the content of chlorophyll a and the activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase. The elevated level of lipid peroxidation was accompanied by the accumulation of proline and ascorbate. A substantial increase in the amount of proline and urease activity was observed in Urea + Ni-treated leaves. The ascorbate content significantly increased in all the treated plants which correlated with ascorbate peroxidase activity. Urea with Cu ions affected the E. densa photosynthetic pigment system and urease activity adversely. The catalase activity was inhibited by the action of all the pollutants studied, especially in Urea + Cu-treated plants, whereas the peroxidases activity (APX and GPX) increased under the Cu and Urea + Cu action. The results presented indicate that the addition of the high dose of urea (5 mM) to the heavy metals studied may enhance the toxic effects in E. densa leaves, especially in the case of copper. © 2016, Botanical Society of Sao Paulo

Leaf Mesophyll Structure and Photosynthetic Activity in Calla palustris L. from Natural Habitats with Different Level of Technogenic Pollution

A study of leaf structure and CO2 assimilation rate was conducted on the emergent plant Calla palustris L. from natural habitats with different levels of technogenic pollution (the Sak-Elga River, upstream and downstream of the Karabash copper smelter, Chelyabinsk region, Russia). It was found that both chlorophyll a content andthe rate of CO2 assimilation decreased twofold in plants from the downstream site. No significant changes were observed in leaf mesophyll structure and the volume of aerenchyma in the leaf. It was shown that in plants from strongly contaminated site, the decrease in spongy mesophyll cell volume was compensated by the increase in their number, whereas the decrease in the number of chloroplasts per cell was accompanied by a growth in volume. It is concluded that the changes in the numerical and dimensional characteristics of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts provide for the viability of C. palustris under prolonged technogenic impact and demonstrate the plasticity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Keywords: emergent plant, heavy metals, adaptation, leaf structure, CO2 uptak

Редокс-реакции у Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. в условиях техногенной нагрузки

Aquatic ecosystems are very sensitive to industrial impacts, and, therefore, it is increasingly important to study the mechanisms underlying the tolerance of aquatic organisms to water pollution. Heavy metals (HMs) are among the most common and toxic pollutants of aquatic ecosystems. They have a particularly strong effect on macrophytes, which are in close contact with the aquatic environment and can accumulate metals in considerable quantities. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. is a floating macrophyte (pleistophyte) with a high capacity for accumulation of HMs. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of industrial pollution on the redox reactions in H. morsus-ranae and to identify the role of low molecular weight antioxidants in adaptation of this macrophyte to unfavorable conditions. A comparative analysis of the physiological and biochemical characteristics of H. morsus-ranae from two (reference and impacted) water bodies was carried out. The study revealed an increased level of lipid peroxidation products in the leaves of H. morsus-ranae under industrial impact, which indicates oxidative stress. Nevertheless, this floating plant demonstrated fairly high resistance to adverse conditions, due to the synthesis of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as proline and soluble protein thiols. Revealing the response of macrophytes to pollution of water bodies will help predict the state of aquatic ecosystems with an increase in anthropogenic pressure. © Siberian Federal University. All rights reserved.Acknowledgements. The reported study was partly funded by RFBR and the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region, project number 20–45–660014. The authors are grateful to the reviewer, Prof., D. Sc. Golovko T. K. (Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar) for valuable comments that helped improve this paper and to Dr. Tripti (Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia) for editing the English language

Содержание фенольных соединений в листьях Platanthera bifolia из естественной и трансформированных экосистем на разных стадиях развития орхидеи

The representatives of the family Orchidaceae Juss. are often used as a source of natural antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, which play an important role in plant resistance under stressful conditions. This study investigates the content of lipid peroxidation products and soluble phenolic compounds in flowering plants of Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich. growing in natural (forest park) and transformed (fly ash dumps of Thermal Power Stations) ecosystems of the Middle Urals, Russia, as well as the content of flavonoids at different stages of orchid development. Research has shown that in disturbed habitats, P. bifolia is capable of forming abundant populations containing a significant portion of the flowering plants. Additionally, flowering orchids from fly ash dumps contained an average 20 % more lipid peroxidation products, which indicated a shift in the redox balance towards oxidative processes. An increase by 2.4 times on average in the content of phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, was observed at all developmental stages of the plants growing in the transformed ecosystems. Regardless of the growing conditions, the non-flowering mature individuals were characterized by a minimum content of flavonoids, probably due to pre-generative metabolic restructuring. Yet, in the period of orchid blooming, the flavonoid content in their leaves increased again in all study sites. At the same time, the flavonoid proportion of the total soluble phenolic compounds was 42 % in the natural habitat, increasing to 66 % on average in the transformed ecosystems. Thus, flavonoids are involved in the protective adaptive responses of P. bifolia, not only ensuring the survival of this orchid but also contributing to the implementation of its ontogenetic program. © Siberian Federal University. All rights reserved.Acknowledgments. The reported study was partly funded by RFBR and the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region, project number 20-44-660011 and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of State Task of the Ural Federal University, FEUZ-2020-0057. The authors are grateful to the reviewers, DSc Pozolotina V.N. (Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology Ural Branch of the RAS, Ekaterinburg) and DSc Dymova O.V. (Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar) for valuable comments that helped improve this paper and to Dr. Tripti (Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia) for editing of the English language

Antimitotic effects of <i>Cysticercus tenuicollis</i> protoscolexes extract at administration to mice and their negative consequences for organism

The purpose of the research is studying of Cysticercus tenuicollis protoscolexes extract effects on cell division at different routes of administration to mice and evaluation of the associated negative effects.Materials and methods. C. tenuicollis were obtained from spontaneously infected sheep in Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. C. tenuicollis protoscolexes were washed, crushed and homogenized. Protein extraction was performed with phosphate buffered saline pH 7.2–7.4. C. tenuicollis extract was administered intraperitoneally and intravenously to mice males at the dose level of 80 μg protein/animal. The control group of mice was intravenously injected with 0.1 ml of saline. At hours 3; 6; 24 and 48 post extract administration mice were euthanized. Bone marrow samples were taken from experimental and control mice for preparation of microscopic preparations to assess mitotic activity in a given cell population. The mitotic index was determined, all stages of mitosis were recorded. At the above time points blood samples were taken from mice to determine the main hematological parameters post intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of C. tenuicollis extract. The main hematological parameters of mice were determined using hematological analyzer MicroCC-20 Plus (High Technology, Inc. (USA)); leukocyte formula – by the generally accepted method. Samples of liver, kidneys, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and testes were taken from experimental and control animals for macroscopic and microscopic studies.Results and discussion. C. tenuicollis protoscolices extract leads to inhibition of cell division in the population bone marrow and testes cells in mice when administered intravenously and intraperitoneally at the dose level of 80 μg/animal manifested in accumulation of metaphases and decrease of other stages. At both routes of administration a decrease in leukocyte counts was noted. The observed microscopic changes in testes, spleen and lymph nodes either reflect the consequences of extract antimitotic effect or the immune response to the administration of C. tenuicollis extract

Крайне высокочастотная терапия в комплексном лечении пневмонии у пациентов с ожоговой и ингаляционной травмой

Background. The improvement of treatment tactics for nosocomial pneumonia in patients with burn and inhalation trauma is a relevant issue due to the frequency of this complication, which develops at any stage of treatment and aggravates the course of the underlying disease.Aim of study. To evaluate the effectiveness of extremely high frequency therapy (EHFT) in the complex treatment of pneumonia in patients with burn and inhalation injury.Material and methods. The results of extremely high-frequency therapy (EHFT) was compared, studying 23 burn patients with complex EHFT and 30 patients without EHFT.Results. EHFT reduces the signs of endogenous toxemia, as evidenced by a statistically significant decrease in elevated concentrations of dead leukocytes in venous blood from 147-106/L (98; 363-106/L) to 81.8-106/L (72; 150-106/L) (p=0.041, Wilcoxon test) on day 6-8 (after 5-6 procedures), whereas in the comparison group, on the contrary, an increase in the dead cells from 121-106/L (66; 210-106/L) up to 137.4-106/L (116; 207-106/L) was observed. When comparing this indicator in two groups on day 6-8 from the onset of pneumonia, a statistically significant difference was found (p=0.021, Mann-Whitney). The term of managing pneumonia in patients receiving EHFT was significantly shorter than in the comparison group, 18 (13; 23) versus 21 (18; 27) days (p=0.020, Mann-Whitney).Conclusion. EHFT reduced intensity of endogenous toxicosis and inflammation, approaching pneumonia relief for 3 days.Актуальность. Проблема усовершенствования лечебной тактики при нозокомиальной пневмонии у пациентов с ожоговой и ингаляционной травмой обусловлена частотой данного осложнения, которое развивается на любом этапе лечения и утяжеляет течение основного заболевания.Цель исследования. Оценить эффективность крайне высокочастотной терапии (КВЧТ) в комплексном лечении пневмонии у пациентов с ожоговой и ингаляционной травмой.Материал и методы. Проведен сравнительный анализ результатов лечения 23 пациентов, получавших в комплексном лечении КВЧТ, и 30 пациентов, пролеченных без КВЧТ.Результаты. КВЧТ способствует уменьшению признаков эндотоксикоза, о чем свидетельствует статистически значимое снижение повышенной концентрации погибших лейкоцитов венозной крови от 147·106/л (98; 363·106/л) до 81,8·106/л (72; 150·106/л) (р=0,041, W-кр.) на 6–8-е сут (через 5–6 процедур), тогда как в группе сравнения в аналогичные сроки, напротив, отмечено увеличение концентрации погибших клеток от 121·106/л (66; 210·106/л) до 137,4·106/л (116; 207·106/л). При сравнении данного показателя в двух группах на 6–8-е сут от начала развития пневмонии выявлена статистически значимая разница (р=0,021, M–W). Срок разрешения пневмонии у больных, получавших КВЧТ, был статистически значимо меньше, чем в группе сравнения: 18 (13; 23) против 21 (18; 27) сут (p=0,020, M–W).Заключение. КВЧТ способствует снижению уровня эндотоксикоза и сокращению сроков разрешения пневмонии на 3 сут

Антимитотические эффекты экстракта протосколексов Cysticercus tenuicollis при введении мышам и их негативные последствия для организма

The purpose of the research is studying of Cysticercus tenuicollis protoscolexes extract effects on cell division at different routes of administration to mice and evaluation of the associated negative effects.Materials and methods. C. tenuicollis were obtained from spontaneously infected sheep in Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. C. tenuicollis protoscolexes were washed, crushed and homogenized. Protein extraction was performed with phosphate buffered saline pH 7.2–7.4. C. tenuicollis extract was administered intraperitoneally and intravenously to mice males at the dose level of 80 μg protein/animal. The control group of mice was intravenously injected with 0.1 ml of saline. At hours 3; 6; 24 and 48 post extract administration mice were euthanized. Bone marrow samples were taken from experimental and control mice for preparation of microscopic preparations to assess mitotic activity in a given cell population. The mitotic index was determined, all stages of mitosis were recorded. At the above time points blood samples were taken from mice to determine the main hematological parameters post intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of C. tenuicollis extract. The main hematological parameters of mice were determined using hematological analyzer MicroCC-20 Plus (High Technology, Inc. (USA)); leukocyte formula – by the generally accepted method. Samples of liver, kidneys, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and testes were taken from experimental and control animals for macroscopic and microscopic studies.Results and discussion. C. tenuicollis protoscolices extract leads to inhibition of cell division in the population bone marrow and testes cells in mice when administered intravenously and intraperitoneally at the dose level of 80 μg/animal manifested in accumulation of metaphases and decrease of other stages. At both routes of administration a decrease in leukocyte counts was noted. The observed microscopic changes in testes, spleen and lymph nodes either reflect the consequences of extract antimitotic effect or the immune response to the administration of C. tenuicollis extract.Цель исследований – изучить влияние экстракта протосколексов Cysticercus tenuicollis на деление клеток при различных путях ведения мышам и оценить их негативные последствия для организма.Материалы и методы. C. tenuicollis получали от спонтанно инвазированных овец в Кабардино-Балкарской Республике. Для приготовления соматического экстракта из протосколексов C. tenuicollis отмытый и подготовленный биоматериал измельчали и подвергали гомогенизации. Экстрагирование белков осуществляли фосфатно-солевым буфером pH 7,2–7,4, затем центрифугировали при 15000 об/мин в центрифуге. Экстракт C. tenuicollis вводили внутрибрюшинно и внутривенно мышам-самцам массой 18–22 г в дозе 80 мкг белка/животное. Контрольной группе мышей внутривенно вводили по 0,1 мл физиологического раствора. Мышей убивали декапитацией через 3; 6; 24 и 48 ч после введения исследуемого материала. У опытных и контрольных мышей отбирали образцы костного мозга для приготовления микроскопических препаратов для оценки митотической активности в данной популяции клеток. Определяли митотический индекс, регистрировали все стадии митоза. Во временные точки в пробирки с антикоагулянтом отбирали образцы крови для определения основных гематологических показателей мышей после внутривенного и внутрибрюшинного введения экстракта C. tenuicollis. Основные показатели периферической крови мышей определяли на гематологическом анализаторе, лейкоцитарную формулу – общепринятым методом. У опытных и контрольных животных отбирали образцы печени, почек, селезенки, брыжеечных лимфатических узлов и семенников для макроскопических и микроскопических исследований.Результаты и обсуждение. Экстракт протосколексов C. tenuicollis привел к угнетению клеточного деления в популяции клеток костного мозга и семенников мышей при внутривенном и внутрибрюшинном введении в дозе 80 мкг/животное с накоплением метафаз и снижением доли других стадий. При обоих путях введения отмечали снижение числа лейкоцитов в крови мышей. Наблюдаемые микроскопические изменения в семенниках, селезенке и лимфатических узлах либо отражают последствия антимитотического действия экстракта, либо ответную иммунную реакцию организма мышей на введение белкового экстракта C. tenuicollis

Effect of heavy metals on photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant status of Elodea

Elodea plants (Elodea (Egeria) densa Planch.) were incubated in the presence of individual and mixed 1 μM sulfate salts of Ni, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Mn to study the influence of heavy metals (HM) on shoot growth, structural-and functional parameters of the photosynthetic apparatus, lipid peroxidation, enzymatic activities of the antioxidant defense system (superoxide dismutase and catalase), and the content of non-protein and protein thiols in leaves. The accumulation of HM in leaves decreased in a row: Mn &gt; Cu &gt; Cd &gt; Zn &gt; Ni. The largest reduction in chlorophyll content was caused by Mn and Cu, whereas the strongest reduction in carotenoid content was induced by Cu. The presence of Cu produced the largest decrease in the maximal quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (F v/F m). These changes were paralleled by the shift of the pro-/antioxidant balance towards the dominance of oxidative processes. The presence of Cd elevated the content of chlorophyll and carotenoids without altering the photochemical efficiency of PSII; Cd retarded the shoot growth but had no appreciable effect on leaf mesostructure. The addition of the second metal to the growth medium alleviated in most treatments the detrimental action of individual ions owing to the enhanced activities of SOD and catalase and because of the significant increase in the content of non-protein thiols. It is supposed that the observed antagonism of metal ions is related to their competitive interactions restricting the entry of HM into the cell. © 2012 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Extremely High-frequency Therapy in the Complex Treatment of Pneumonia in Patients with Burn and Inhalation Trauma

Background. The improvement of treatment tactics for nosocomial pneumonia in patients with burn and inhalation trauma is a relevant issue due to the frequency of this complication, which develops at any stage of treatment and aggravates the course of the underlying disease.Aim of study. To evaluate the effectiveness of extremely high frequency therapy (EHFT) in the complex treatment of pneumonia in patients with burn and inhalation injury.Material and methods. The results of extremely high-frequency therapy (EHFT) was compared, studying 23 burn patients with complex EHFT and 30 patients without EHFT.Results. EHFT reduces the signs of endogenous toxemia, as evidenced by a statistically significant decrease in elevated concentrations of dead leukocytes in venous blood from 147-106/L (98; 363-106/L) to 81.8-106/L (72; 150-106/L) (p=0.041, Wilcoxon test) on day 6-8 (after 5-6 procedures), whereas in the comparison group, on the contrary, an increase in the dead cells from 121-106/L (66; 210-106/L) up to 137.4-106/L (116; 207-106/L) was observed. When comparing this indicator in two groups on day 6-8 from the onset of pneumonia, a statistically significant difference was found (p=0.021, Mann-Whitney). The term of managing pneumonia in patients receiving EHFT was significantly shorter than in the comparison group, 18 (13; 23) versus 21 (18; 27) days (p=0.020, Mann-Whitney).Conclusion. EHFT reduced intensity of endogenous toxicosis and inflammation, approaching pneumonia relief for 3 days