Allelopathic Effects of Plant-Derived Aerosol Smoke on Seed Germination of Arabidopsis thaliana

The role that plant-derived smoke plays in promoting seed germination is well documented, but little is known about its ability to inhibit seed germination. To better understand this phenomenon, we tested the effects of eight aerosol smoke treatments on the Columbia-3 ecotype of nondormant Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. seeds. Our results revealed that aerosol smoke significantly inhibits germination when seeds were exposed to prolonged periods of aerosol smoke. Short durations of smoke treatments significantly promoted the rate of germination of A. thaliana seed. We briefly discuss this dual regulation of smoke and its possible impact on conservation and restoration practices. We also propose that plant-derived smoke may be another vehicle by which allelochemicals can be introduced into the environment

Spectroscopic properties of two 5′-(4-dimethylamino)azobenzene conjugated G-quadruplex forming oligonucleotides

The synthesis of two 5'-end (4-dimethylamino)azobenzene conjugated G-quadruplex forming aptamers, the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) and the HIV-1 integrase aptamer (T30695), was performed. Their structural behavior was investigated by means of UV, CD, fluorescence spectroscopy, and gel electrophoresis techniques in K+-containing buffers and water-ethanol blends. Particularly, we observed that the presence of the 5'-(4-dimethylamino)azobenzene moiety leads TBA to form multimers instead of the typical monomolecular chair-like G-quadruplex and almost hampers T30695 G-quadruplex monomers to dimerize. Fluorescence studies evidenced that both the conjugated G-quadruplexes possess unique fluorescence features when excited at wavelengths corresponding to the UV absorption of the conjugated moiety. Furthermore, a preliminary investigation of the trans-cis conversion of the dye incorporated at the 5'-end of TBA and T30695 showed that, unlike the free dye, in K+-containing water-ethanol-triethylamine blend the trans-to-cis conversion was almost undetectable by means of a standard UV spectrophotometer

Smoking as Communication in Rastafari: Reasonings with 'Professional" Smokers and 'Plant Teachers'

In Rastafari smoking herbs (cannabis) and tobacco is central to spiritual practices, including grounding (the process of initiation into Rastafari) and reasoning (ritual discussions). This paper presents ethnographic research with Rastafari smokers in England. It shows that smoking is considered a ‘professional’ activity that communicates dedication to the movement, aids in learning different dialects, and facilitates experiences of communication with herbs ‘herself’. Through rituals that ‘professional’ smokers engage in herbs becomes a ‘plant teacher’, which Tupper [2008. The Globalization of Ayahuasca: Harm Reduction or Benefit Maximization? International Journal of Drug Policy, 19:300] defines as ‘a natural divinatory mechanism that can provide esoteric knowledge to adepts skilled in negotiating its remarkable effects’. Appreciation of smoking as a form of multispecies communication between ‘professional’ smokers and ‘plant teachers’ recasts the role of agency in anthropological studies of smoking and contributes to our understanding of consciousness and intentionality in both humans and plants

Cardioactive compounds from the Australian plant genus, Eremophila (Myoporaceae).

For over 40 000 years, the Australian Aboriginal people relied on native plants as a source of medicinal agents. Although they employed a wide range of species for this purpose, some of the most commonly used were Eremophila species (Myoporaceae). In particular, E. alternifolia was considered the 'number one medicine'. Reportedly, infusions of the leaves were used both internally and externally as an analgesic, decongestant and expectorant. This was believed to be useful in the treatment of colds, influenza, fevers and headaches, as well as for sterilising septic wounds and for promoting general well being.A methanolic extract of E. alternifolia leaves was tested on Langendorff rat hearts and was shown to mediate significant increases in heart rate (chronotropism), contractile force (inotropism) and coronary perfusion rate (CPR). With similar responses to those induced by adrenaline, it seemed likely that the active constituents of E. alternifolia leaves may have acted through adrenergic receptors. Challenging the extract with alpha- and beta- receptor antagonists did not, however, significantly reduce the size of responses. The active compound acted through a different mechanism.The identity of the active constituent in E. alternifolia leaves was revealed and shown to be a known phenylethanoid glycoside called verbascoside. Also known as acteoside, this compound's identity was confirmed by comparison of its spectral parameters with those described in the literature and by comparative tlc behaviour with that of standard samples. Its effects on the Langendorff rat heart were similar to those induced by the methanolic extract, but were more pronounced and did not act through adrenergic receptors or slow calcium channels . Repeatedly, 1 ml of 1 mM verbascoside dose-dependently increased chronotropism, inotropism and CPR in Langendorff rat hearts by increasing intracellular levels of the second messenger, cyclic, 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The increase in cAMP production occurred in response to an increase in prostacyclin. Significant increases in this hormone-like compound were detected in hearts treated w verbascoside. The calcium channel blocker, verapamil, did not significantly diminish the effects of verbascoside.Another of the highly prized medicinal agents employed by the Aboriginal people was E. longifolia, a plant of sacred and mystical significance. Infusions made from the leaves were prepared for eye washes, as counter-irritants, for treating headaches and for skin and body washes. Pharmacological testing of the methanolic extract of leaves indicated that one or more active compounds with a biphasic effect on the Langendorff rat heart were responsible. The major active constituent was identified as an iridoid glucoside called geniposidic acid. One ml of 1 mM geniposidic acid significantly inhibit chronotropism, inotropism and CPR. The compound did not, however, induce biphasic effect. This was later rationalised by the small amounts of verbascoside that co-occur in the extract.Four similar iridoid glucosides that had been isolated from three other Eremophila species were tested for their effects on Langendorff rat hearts. Melampyroside (from E. pantonii), verminoside (E. ionantha), ferruloylajugol (E. pantonii) and catalpol (E. maculata subsp brevifolia) all significantly altered myocardial activity in the isolated rat heart preparations. Melampyroside and verminoside were predominantly stimulatory, while ferruloylajugol was biphasic and catalpol only inhibitory. The effects of these iridoids is discussed in comparison with geniposidic acid and other known cardioactive iridoid glucosides. The results suggest that the effects exhibited by these compounds is more common phenomenon than was previously realised

Ecology of plant-derived smoke: Its use in seed germination

No Abstract

Interesting biological activities from plants traditionally used by native Australians

Four plants routinely used for medicinal purposes by Native Australians were screened for various biological activities. Methanol extracts of Eremophila maculata, Acacia auriculoformis and Acacia bivenosa exhibited antibiotic effects, while Eremophila alternifolia yielded an extract that induced significant changes to the heart activity of spontaneously hypertensive rats. We report on these biological activities

Stenosi del canale lombare nella poliartropatia iperostosante dismetabolica

Il lavoro descrive una importante complicanza neurologica della polientesopatia iperostosante dismetabolica o DISH consistente nella stenosi di canale vertebrale secondaria ai fenomeni di ossificazione legamentosa e osteoproduttiv

La consulenza immobiliare nel private banking

Che agli italiani piaccia investire nel mattone non è una novità. Anzi, la proprietà immobiliare è un obiettivo di investimento parallelo se non precedente a quello finanziario. Ciò che invece manca è una vera offerta di servizi di real estate advisory, che consenta di sfruttare tutte le potenzialità del patrimonio immobiliare. Il libro illustra le opportunità connesse allo sviluppo di questo tipo di consulenza, analizza le principali tematiche e i fattori che causano una inefficiente o non oculata gestione degli immobili, erodendo una componente significativa del rendimento rispetto alle vaste possibilità di ottimizzazione che un approccio fornito da attori qualificati consentirebb