scholarly journals Droplet evaporation patterns of wheat seed leakages differ following treatments with arsenic at ultra-high dilution level

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (40) ◽  
pp. 115-116
Author(s):  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Francesco Borghini ◽  
Giovanni Dinelli ◽  
Ilaria Marotti ◽  
Grazia Trebbi ◽  
...  

Introduction “Agro-homeopathy” plays an important role in sustainable agriculture providing cost-saving and residue-free plant treatments for the improvement of yield and the management of diseases and pests [1]. However, one of the main difficulties in “agro-homeopathy” is the exact choice of the right remedy and dilution, which requires the performance of many time-consuming trials. The droplet evaporation method could constitute a screening method for evaluating the efficacy of extremely low doses and high dilutions on plants. Droplet patterns prepared out of wheat seed leakages show differences in their complexity in relation to the seed vigour [2]. Here we show that this structure-forming capacity of seed leakages prepared in water or in ultra-high diluted (UHD) solutions may give a reliable picture of the treatment’s stimulating or inhibiting influence on plant vitality. Materials and Methods Part of the seeds was stressed with 0.1% As2O3 (As) aqueous solution [3]. The droplet patterns were prepared out of four samples: non-stressed (ns) seeds in water, ns-seeds in As 45x, stressed (s) seeds in water, s-seeds in As 45x. The experiment was performed in a 3 day repetition, 3 replicates per day, and 5 droplets per each replicate. The resulting patterns were evaluated by means of the ImageJ software [4] for their local connected fractal dimension (LCFD) values. The plant vigour of the four samples was evaluated by means of in vitro wheat growth [5, 6]. Results The mean LCFD of patterns deriving from s-seeds was significantly lower (1.4) vs. ns-seeds (1.7). Moreover, for both ns- and s-seeds, the LCFD was significantly higher with treatment As 45x vs. water (1.8 vs. 1.7 for ns-seeds, and 1.5 vs. 1.2 for s-seeds). The results of the growth test showed a significant vigour decrease caused by As stress (shoot length 19.7mm) vs. ns-seeds (22.4mm); a significant stimulating effect following As 45x treatment was observed for both s-seeds (25.1mm) and ns-seeds (31.4). Discussion The droplet patterns seem to be a sensitive tool for visualizing the effectiveness of UHD on seeds. The experiment showed that the pattern complexity increased with the application of the treatment for both ns- and s-seeds. The growth test provided a further verification of these results. Conclusions Further confirmations are required, but even as it is now the droplet evaporation method may be considered a promising tool for “agro-homeopathic” screening tests. Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest and that this study received no funding. References Betti L, Trebbi G, Majewsky V, Scherr C, Shah-Rossi D, Jaeger T, Baumgartner S. Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: a critical review. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 244-266. Kokornaczyk MO, Dinelli G, Marotti I, Benedettelli S, Nani D, Betti L. Self-organized crystallization patterns from evaporating droplets of Common wheat grain leakages as a potential tool for quality analysis. TheScientificWorldJ. 2011; 11: 1712-1725. Brizzi M, Elia V, Trebbi G, Nani D, Peruzzi M, Betti L. The efficacy of ultra molecular aqueous dilutions on a wheat germination model as a function of heat and aging-time. e-CAM 2011; Article ID 696298: 11p. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep217. Collins TJ. ImmageJ for microscopy. BioTechniques. 2007; 43: 25-30. Betti L, Brizzi M, Nani D, Peruzzi M. Effect of high dilutions of Arsenicum album on wheat seedlings from seed poisoned with the same substance. Br. Homeopath. J. 1997; 86: 86-89. Brizzi M, Lazzarato L, Nani D, Borghini F, Peruzzi M, Betti L. A biostatistical insight into the As2O3 high dilution effects on the rate and variability of wheat seedling growth. Forsch. Komplementmed. 2005; 12: 277-283.

Author(s):  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Lucietta Betti

Background: The droplet evaporation method (DEM) has been recently proposed as a possible tool to test the efficacy of ultra high dilutions (UHDs) [1]. Here we applied the same methodology consisting in the evaporation of droplets from leakages obtained by placing wheat seeds in UHDs to test whether DEM patterns vary in function of the tested treatment: Zincum metallicum 30c (ZM), lactose 30c as dynamized control (L), and unsuccussed, undiluted water as negative control (C). Since our previous study [1] showed that there is a significant increase in the UHD action in the stressed model, with respect to the non-stressed one, also in the present experiment we tested ZM, L and C on both stressed (s-seeds) and non-stressed wheat seeds (ns-seeds). Aims: The aim of the experiment was to test whether treatments ZM, L, and C applied on ns- and s-seeds influence the DEM pattern characteristics. Materials and methods: Whole, undamaged wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum cv. Inallettabile, harvesting year 2010) were used for the experiment, following the experimental protocol described in [1]. The distinction between s- and ns-seeds is based upon different storing conditions from the harvest until the analysis day: the ns-seeds were kept in controlled conditions at 5°C and in the dark, whereas the s-seeds were kept in lab at varying temperature, humidity and light conditions. As far as treatment preparation is concerned, ZM and L were obtained from triturations 3c (received from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) by vertical mechanical succussions and following dilutions; negative control (C) was ultra-pure water from the same water batch used for dilutions. The experiment was repeated on 6 days within one month; each seed lot (ns- and s-seeds) was analyzed on 3 different days (s-seeds on 10th, 11th and 24th February 2014 and ns-seeds on 12th, 26th February and 3th March 2014), with three treatment-replicates for ZM and L and two for C, three repetitions for each treatment-replicate and 5 droplets per repetition (360 patterns for each seed lot). The complexity degree of polycrystalline structures obtained from the evaporating droplets was measured by means of the ImageJ software [2] by calculating their local connected fractal dimensions (LCFD). The data on moon phase, moon position and moon distance from Earth at the beginning of each evaporation process were collected from the online tool virtuelles Telescope [3]. All data were processed by a three-way ANOVA at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Correlations between the moon data and LCFD were evaluated by r Pearson coefficient. Results: The effect of the treatment on LCFD values of DEM patterns was significant only in the stressed model: ZM showed a crystallization inhibiting action vs. C on all 3 analysis days, whereas a significant difference between ZM and L could be observed only on first and third analysis day (Fig 1a). ANOVA analysis showed that the overall LCFD means for the s-seed lot differed significantly between each other: 1.33 (a) for C, 1.26 (b) for L, and 1.19 (c) for ZM. Moreover, the LCFD values of both seed lots showed a strong day factor influence. A possible explanation of this finding might be the influence of the moon (position, phase, and distance from Earth) on the crystallization process: strong correlation between the LCFD of the patterns and moon data were found (r values were from -0.72 to -0.97). Figure 1: Graphical representation of the mean local connected fractal dimension values (LCFD) of droplet evaporation patterns obtained from stressed and non-stressed wheat seeds following treatments with Zincum metallicum 30c (ZM), lactose 30c (L), and unsuccussed/undiluted water (C). Discussion: The present study confirms a pre-sensitization effect towards UHD action in stressed models: a significant inhibiting effect of ZM 30c was found in all experimentation day. Furthermore, the strong correlations observed between the LCFD values and moon data indicate that the complexity of polycrystalline structures from evaporating droplets of wheat seed leakages might be affected by tidal forces. Since DEM needs to be standardized, these correlations can be considered only simultaneous and not causal, however their strength gives good reasons for further studies. Conclusions: The results of the present pilot-study seem to encourage further DEM experiments on s-seeds following UHD treatments. For further confirmation of the inhibiting effect of ZM on s-seeds, germination tests should be planned. Finally, the performance of DEM experimentations during days and hours with equal tidal influence on gravity might be helpful for the reduction of the day factor. Keywords:Ultra high dilutions, droplet evaporation method, patterns, Zincum metallicum


Author(s):  
Corinne Kraus

Corinne Kraus, Ute Knobloch, Scherer Waltraud, Peter Christian Endler Interuniversity College for Health and Development Graz / Castle of Seggau, Austria Background In 1926, an influence of a homeopathically prepared high dilution of silver nitrate on the growth of coleoptiles of wheat seedlings was described (Kolisko 1926). Later, in an extensive series of experiments, wheat was observed under the influence of extremely diluted agitated silver nitrate (10e-23, “24x”). Stalk lengths clearly indicate that development is enhanced by the probe silver nitrate 24x as compared to control (Scherer et al. 2015). A preliminary experiment was performed in early autumn 2015 on stalk growth of wheat seedlings treated with (not potentized) dilutions of silver nitrate 10e-6 to 10e-10 (“6e to 10e”), compared to potentized silver nitrate 6x to 10x (N = 100 per group). A clear, albeit not statistically significant trend was observed of 6x-stalks being longer (23.4 + 16.2 mm) than 6e-stalks (13.0 + 10.9 mm). Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of diluted versus potentized low dilutions of silver nitrate (10e-2 to 10e-10) on wheat germination. Method The experiments were performed in late autumn 2015 on wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L., Capo variety). The grains were observed under the influence of aqueous solutions 10-2 to 10-10 part per weight of silver nitrate, either diluted in steps of 1 : 10 in distilled water by mere pipetting (probes “2e – 10e”), or diluted and agitated in steps of 1:10 (to create potentized probes “2x – 10x”). Untreated distilled water (“w”) served as an additional control. All probes were applied blindly. 100 grains were observed per treatment group in each of the groups resulting a total of 2,000 grains. Grains were placed in glass dishes, probes were added and dishes were covered with lids and placed in drawers . The following endpoint criteria were defined: K1 = visible emergence of sprout material, K2 = lifting of the operculum and emergence of the sprout and W1 = development of three roots.   Result Germination rates K1 of seedlings treated with “w”-probes (blue), with “e”-probes ranging from 2e to 10e (black) and with “x”-probes ranging from 2x to 10x (red) at the measuring points 20h, 24h and 28h (from left to right for each of the probes). In K1, K2 and W, there is an obvious increase of germination rates from the high to the lower concentrations of silver nitrate, both in the “e” and in the “x”-groups and observable at 20h, 24h and 28h (p < 0.01). In contrast, germination rates of the two „w“-probes are practically alike (p > 0,05) When “e” and “x”-data are compared, germination rates are higher under the influence of “x” than under the influence of “e” (p < 0.01 for the pooled “x”-values compared to the pooled “e”-values with regard to K1 as well as K2 as well as W). Conclusion: A significant difference was found between wheat grains treated with mere dilutions compared to grains treated with potentised dilutions. References 1. Endler PC, Belavite P, Bonamin L,Jäger T, Mazon S. Replication of fundamental research models in ultra high dilutions 1994 and 2015 – update on a bibliometric study. Special issue Homeopathy London. 2015 a Oktober;104(4):234-45. 2. Endler PC, Schulte J, Stock-Schroeer B, Stephen S. Ultra high Dilution 1994 revisited 2015 – the state of follow-up research. Special issue Homeopathy London. 2015 b Oktober;104(4):223-6. 3. Kolisko L. Physiologischer Nachweis der Wirksamkeit kleinster Entitäten bei 7 Metallen – Wirkung von Licht und Pflanzen auf das Pflanzenwachstum. Dornach Schweiz: Philosophisch-Anthroposophischer Verlag am Goetheanum; 1926. 4. Kraus C, Knobloch U. Diluted versus diluted and agitated probes of silver nitrate (10-2 to 10-10) and wheat germination, Thesis (MSc); branch campus UCN at Interuniversity College Graz / Schloss Seggau; 2016. 5. Scherer-Pongratz W., Endler P.C., Lothaller H., Stephen S. Wheat and ultra high diluted silver nitrate – further experiments and re-analysis of data. Special issue Homeopathy London. 2015;104(4):246-9.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Grazia Trebbi ◽  
Giovanni Dinelli ◽  
Ilaria Marotti ◽  
Valeria Bregola ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Lucietta Betti

Background: The droplet evaporation method (DEM) is based on pattern formation in evaporating droplets. It has been shown that the local connected fractal dimension (LCFD; a complexity measure) of crystalline structures grown in evaporating droplets of wheat seed leakages depended upon whether the seeds were treated with an ultra-high dilution (UHD) or water control.1, 2 In homeopathy it is usually assumed, that UHD’s need to come in direct (physical) contact with the organism to be treated to exhibit their action; however, recently, it has been demonstrated on a wheat seed germination model that UHD’s may influence organisms also at a distance, i.e. without any physical contact. 3 In this case the UHD's effectiveness decreases with increasing distance. Here we test whether DEM might serve also as a tool to study such force-like influences. In a series of three DEM experiments (E1-3) we studied (i) force-like effects occurring between As2O3 45x treatment (As45x) and undiluted, unsuccussed, ultrapure water (W), (ii) As45x and wheat seeds, as also (iii) whether force-like effects may be shielded by means of aluminum foil, commonly applied for such purposes in homeopathic research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (36) ◽  
pp. 215-217
Author(s):  
Eduardo Costa Gaia Nazareth ◽  
Francisco José De Freitas

Introduction: The knowledge and use of the venom of Bothrops jararaca in high dilutions is still quite limited. One of the important properties is the use of one of its components, bradykinin, for the development of antihypertensive medication known as captopril. Other situations, such as clinical, local and systemic should receive more depth to the composition of Materia Medica related to various medical actions on the man and mammals in general. The systemic action of the bite of this snake, includes hemostasis disorders, culminating as bleeding gums, in addition to sweating, hypertension, and hypothermia. The action includes local pain and swelling with bruising, bleeding and often blistering and tissue necrosis. The action on the immune system, through action on the complement C3 and other complement components may show its possible use in cases of bacterial infections, including mycobacteria, as presented in the study of 1970 Vanessa Birdsey, "Interactions of poisons toxic with the addition, "the journal of Immunology 1971. Today, this poison has a toxicology published by Anibal Melgarejo, "Venomous Animals of Brazil", 2003, which subsidizes the development of study for its use in high dilutions, and a comprehensive study of the biology of the animal itself. Published studies on biomolecular analysis add more details about the relations of the poison and mammals. All these characteristics suggest the use of poison as a homeopathic remedy. Objective: To investigate the therapeutic possibilities in high dilutions of the venom of the snake Bothrops jararaca, expanding its clinical use. Methodology: Methodological description of this poison in contemporary bases including: Origin, physical description chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology and medicine in preparation of high dilution, general action, specific actions on systems or organs, sensations, modalities, concomitants, etiological indications relations main clinics. Results: Defining the therapeutic indications such as modulation of the complement system, action on the cardiovascular system, among other uses, by Bothrops jararaca in high dilution. Conclusion: This evaluation can be used for different sources of products and allows the rational use of Bothrops jararaca in high dilution. The results can and should be complemented by clinical studies and pathogenetic. Bacterial infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy, and autoimmune disease LES and may receive treatment studies with the drug based on Bothrops jararaca snake venom because they are indirectly associated with them via similarity of the failure of complement, an important marker for bacterial the defense of mammals. Action on clinical aspects like hypertension, sweating, hypothermia and necrosis shall be seen. Perhaps the search for the stimulation of complement show a new pathway for the harmonization, long-predicted by Hahnemann, Hering and searched for among the many that followed the creator of this therapy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
Salvatore Chirumbolo

Homeopathy is fundamentally based on the assumption that a biological activity is borne by a chemical system made by a molecular solute within a solvent that is diluted and mechanically stressed an undefined number of times and then reaches a zero point where molecules disappear and the solvent is the only chemical species being left. With the exception of an author who recently stated “We have been working in this field for over 20 years [35], and are thus perfectly aware of the issues related to the “plausibility” of high-dilution pharmacology, particularly when using dilutions beyond Avogadro’s constant”, yet no evidence was reported to date about the real nature of homeopathic high dilutions.


1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (31) ◽  
pp. 232 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kuiper

The new cereal seed dressing Vitavax, a systemic fungicidal dust based on 2,3-dihydro- 5-carboxanilido-6-methyl-1,4-oxathiin, controlled seed-borne common bunt of wheat, seed- and soil-borne flag smut of wheat, and covered smut of oats in glasshouse experiments. Its chemotherapeutic efficacy was demonstrated on wheat bunt using post-infection soil drenches. Vitavax was ineffective on loose smut of wheat and barley under semi-artificial conditions. Vitavax was toxic to wheat seedlings only when applied in a soil drench (0.02 per cent active ingredient) shortly after transplanting, but the surviving, severely injured plants recovered quickly indicating rapid elimination of the phytotoxicant. In in vitro germination tests on wheat Vitavax was safer than the standard fungicide Ceresan.


2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 1530-1540
Author(s):  
Huifen Zhang ◽  
Ji Song ◽  
Mi Zhang ◽  
Cheng Xiang ◽  
Baocai Li ◽  
...  

Abstract The lignite upgrading wastewater (LUW) produced in the drying and upgrading process of lignite cannot be discharged directly. Conventional wastewater treatment methods are usually costly and unable to achieve efficient utilization of water resources which are rich in activity components. In this study, the water quality analysis showed that LUW belonged to seriously polluted waters with low pH and very high total nitrogen content. Fifty-five compounds, mainly phenols and organic acids, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The study confirmed that the LUW, after being diluted to an appropriate concentration, could significantly promote the growth of wheat seedlings. The phenols and organic acids were the activity material basis of LUW, which promoted seed germination possibly through playing a role similar to plant hormones and simultaneously enhancing the utilization of nutrient elements. LUW had the natural advantages of directly developing high-end liquid fertilizers in terms of its physical form, chemical composition, biological activity, safety and economy. This study confirmed the feasibility of applying LUW to agricultural field as liquid fertilizer only through simple dilution without other treatments. Applying LUW as liquid fertilizer can not only supply a fertilizer product with low production cost and outstanding efficacy, but also provide an efficient and green way for the treatment of upgrading wastewater, which utilize the LUW as natural resources instead of purifying and discharging.


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