Droplet evaporation method applied to test the efficacy of Zincum metallicum 30c on stressed and non-stressed wheat seeds

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (47) ◽  
pp. 84-85
Author(s):  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Lucietta Betti
Keyword(s):  
Droplet Evaporation ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Evaporation Method ◽  
Inhibiting Effect ◽  
Tidal Forces ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Dilutions ◽  
Polycrystalline Structures ◽  
Wheat Seeds

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

Investigation of force-like effects of potentized preparations

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-28
Author(s):  
Jeremias Dott ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Claudia Scherr ◽  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk
Keyword(s):  
Outer Space ◽  
Viscum Album ◽  
Droplet Evaporation ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Evaporation Method ◽  
Mistletoe Extract ◽  
Controlled Conditions ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio ◽  
Glass Slides ◽  
Wheat Seeds

Abstract The scope of this project is the investigation of the possible occurrence of force-like effects of potentized preparations. Based on earlier work [1, 2] we have chosen two preclinical models: a droplet evaporation method applied on wheat seeds and a bioassay with cress stressed with colchicine. In both methods we investigate if potentized and not potentized substances exhibit force-like effects. We study two types of potentization procedures. First we study classical homeopathic potentization (Natrium muriaticum 30cH) and compare it with unpotentized NaCl 0.9%. Second, we study anthroposophic potentization (Iscador, mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts treated with a special mechanized pharmaceutical process) and compare it with unpotentized mistletoe extract (not mechanically treated). Droplet evaporation method is performed as described in detail elsewhere [1]. In short: wheat seeds were placed in the inner space of bilayer recipients, whereas, in the outer space (i) the unpotentized substance, (ii) the potentized substance, or (iii) a water control is placed. After one week wheat seeds are removed from the recipients and placed in water for 1h. Droplets of the obtained leakage were evaporated on glass-slides in controlled conditions. The droplet residues are photographed in magnification 100x and analyzed for fractal dimension. Cress growth test is performed as described in detail elsewhere [2]. For the study of force-like effects, ampoules of the above mentioned substances and ampoules of water for injection are placed for 2 days in recipients filled with purified water. Subsequently 20 µg/ml colchicine were added. The so prepared water is used to grow selected cress seeds in bags for 4 days. The plants grow in darkness under controlled conditions and show a morphological malformation due to the colchicine. The length of the root and shoot at each plant is measured and the root/shoot ratio is calculated, to determine if there is any difference between the treatments. 1. Kokornaczyk, M.O., S. Baumgartner, and L. Betti, Preliminary study on force-like effects between As45x, water, and wheat seeds performed by means of the droplet evaporation method. International Journal of High Dilution Research, 2015. 14(2): p. 17-19. 2. Baumgartner S, Flückiger H, Kunz M, Scherr C, Urech K. Evaluation of Preclinical Assays to Investigate an Anthroposophic Pharmaceutical Process Applied to Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Extracts. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014: Article ID 620974.

Droplet evaporation method as a new potential approach for highlighting the effectiveness of ultra high dilutions

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Grazia Trebbi ◽  
Giovanni Dinelli ◽  
Ilaria Marotti ◽  
Valeria Bregola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Droplet Evaporation ◽  
Potential Approach ◽  
Evaporation Method ◽  
High Dilutions

scholarly journals Preliminary study on force-like effects between As45x, water, and wheat seeds performed by means of the droplet evaporation method

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-19
Author(s):  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner ◽  
Lucietta Betti
Keyword(s):  
Aluminum Foil ◽  
Droplet Evaporation ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Wheat Seed ◽  
Ultrapure Water ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Evaporation Method ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
To Come ◽  
Wheat Seeds

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.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Droplet Evaporation ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Wheat Seed ◽  
High Dilution ◽  
Seed Vigour ◽  
Plant Vigour ◽  
Wheat Seedlings ◽  
Evaporation Method ◽  
Growth Test ◽  
High Dilutions

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.

Number of succussion strokes affects effectiveness of ultra-high-diluted arsenic on in vitro wheat germination and polycrystalline structures obtained by droplet evaporation method

Homeopathy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucietta Betti ◽  
Grazia Trebbi ◽  
Maria Olga Kokornaczyk ◽  
Daniele Nani ◽  
Maurizio Peruzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Droplet Evaporation ◽  
Evaporation Method ◽  
Wheat Germination ◽  
Polycrystalline Structures

Aktivitas Antifungi Air Perasan Bawang Merah (Allium ascalonicum L.) Terhadap Candida albicans Secara In Vitro

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Nurhasanah Nurhasanah ◽  
Fauzia Andrini ◽  
Yulis Hamidy
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Allium Sativum ◽  
Fungicidal Activity ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Completely Randomized Design

Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) has been known as traditional medicine. Shallot which has same genus with garlic(Allium sativum L.) contains allicin that is also found in garlic and has been suspected has fungicidal activity toCandida albicans. It is supported by several researches. Therefore, shallot is suspected has antifungal activity too.The aim of this research was to know antifungal activity of shallot’s water extortion againsts Candida albicans invitro. This was a laboratory experimental research which used completely randomized design, with diffusion method.Shallot’s water extortion was devided into three concentrations, there were 50%, 100% and 200%. Ketoconazole 2%was positive control and aquadest was negative control. The result of this research based on analysis of varians(Anova), there was significant difference between several treatments and was confirmed with Duncan New MultipleRange Test (DNMRT) p<0,05, there was significant difference between 100% shallot’s water extortion with othertreatments, but there was no significant difference between 50% shallot’s water extortion with 200% shallot’s. Theconclusion was shallot’s water extortion had antifungal activity againsts Candida albicans with the best concentration100%, but it was lower than ketoconazole 2%.

scholarly journals A Tumbling Magnetic Microrobot System for Biomedical Applications

Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 861
Author(s):  
Elizabeth E. Niedert ◽  
Chenghao Bi ◽  
Georges Adam ◽  
Elly Lambert ◽  
Luis Solorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Circular Path ◽  
Rotational Axis ◽  
Significant Difference

A microrobot system comprising an untethered tumbling magnetic microrobot, a two-degree-of-freedom rotating permanent magnet, and an ultrasound imaging system has been developed for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications. The microrobot tumbles end-over-end in a net forward motion due to applied magnetic torque from the rotating magnet. By turning the rotational axis of the magnet, two-dimensional directional control is possible and the microrobot was steered along various trajectories, including a circular path and P-shaped path. The microrobot is capable of moving over the unstructured terrain within a murine colon in in vitro, in situ, and in vivo conditions, as well as a porcine colon in ex vivo conditions. High-frequency ultrasound imaging allows for real-time determination of the microrobot’s position while it is optically occluded by animal tissue. When coated with a fluorescein payload, the microrobot was shown to release the majority of the payload over a 1-h time period in phosphate-buffered saline. Cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the microrobot’s constituent materials, SU-8 and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), did not show a statistically significant difference in toxicity to murine fibroblasts from the negative control, even when the materials were doped with magnetic neodymium microparticles. The microrobot system’s capabilities make it promising for targeted drug delivery and other in vivo biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Hyperhomocysteinaemia in Behçet's Disease

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Hamzaoui ◽  
Olfa Harzallah ◽  
Rim Klii ◽  
Silvia Mahjoub
Keyword(s):  
Behçet’S Disease ◽  
Behcet’S Disease ◽  
Homocysteine Level ◽  
Behçet's Disease ◽  
Negative Control Group ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Behcet's Disease ◽  
Homocysteine Concentration ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate if hyperhomocysteinaemia is a contributive risk factor for the pathogenesis and the activity of Behçet's disease (BD).Design and Methods. Fifty four patients fullfiling the criteria of the International Study Group for BD were enrolled. Fifty healthy volunteers matched for age and sex with the BD group were included as a negative control group. Patients, with any condition that might affect plasma homocysteine concentration, were excluded.Results. Mean serum homocysteine concentration was significantly higher in patients with BD than in the healthy controls (), in patients with active disease (), and in masculine gender (). There was no significant difference between homocysteine level and clinical involvement.Conclusions. We demonstrated that plasma total homocysteine level (tHcy) is increased in BD and correlated with disease activity. No association was found between homocysteine levels and clinical involvement.

Tidal dissipation in the oceans: astronomical, geophysical and oceanographic consequences

1977 ◽  
Vol 287 (1347) ◽  
pp. 545-594 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Dissipation ◽  
Solid Earth ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Ocean Tide ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Tidal Dissipation ◽  
Tidal Forces ◽  
Degree Harmonic ◽  
Tidal Acceleration ◽  
Second Degree

The most precise way of estimating the dissipation of tidal energy in the oceans is by evaluating the rate at which work is done by the tidal forces and this quantity is completely described by the fundamental harmonic in the ocean tide expansion that has the same degree and order as the forcing function. The contribution of all other harmonics to the work integral must vanish. These harmonics have been estimated for the principal M 2 tide using several available numerical models and despite the often significant difference in the detail of the models, in the treatment of the boundary conditions and in the way dissipating forces are introduced, the results for the rate at which energy is dissipated are in good agreement. Equivalent phase lags, representing the global ocean-solid Earth response to the tidal forces and the rates of energy dissipation have been computed for other tidal frequencies, including the atmospheric tide, by using available tide models, age of tide observations and equilibrium theory. Orbits of close Earth satellites are periodically perturbed by the combined solid Earth and ocean tide and the delay of these perturbations compared with the tide potential defines the same terms as enter into the tidal dissipation problem. They provide, therefore, an independent estimate of dissipation. The results agree with the tide calculations and with the astronomical estimates. The satellite results are independent of dissipation in the Moon and a comparison of astronomical, satellite and tidal estimates of dissipation permits a separation of energy sinks in the solid Earth, the Moon and in the oceans. A precise separation is not yet possible since dissipation in the oceans dominates the other two sinks: dissipation occurs almost exclusively in the oceans and neither the solid Earth nor the Moon are important energy sinks. Lower limits to the Q of the solid Earth can be estimated by comparing the satellite results with the ocean calculations and by comparing the astronomical results with the latter. They result in Q > 120. The lunar acceleration n , the Earth’s tidal acceleration O T and the total rate of energy dissipation E estimated by the three methods give astronomical based estimate —1.36 —28±3 —7.2 ± 0.7 4.1±0.4 satellite based estimate —1.03 —24 ±5 — 6.4 ± 1.5 3.6±0.8 numerical tide model — 1.49 —30 ±3 —7.5± 0.8 4.5±0.5 The mean value for O T corresponds to an increase in the length of day of 2.7 ms cy -1 . The non-tidal acceleration of the Earth is (1.8 ± 1.0) 10 -22 s ~2 , resulting in a decrease in the length of day of 0.7 ± 0.4 ms cy -1 and is barely significant. This quantity remains the most unsatisfactory of the accelerations. The nature of the dissipating mechanism remains unclear but whatever it is it must also control the phase of the second degree harmonic in the ocean expansion. It is this harmonic that permits the transfer of angular momentum from the Earth to the Moon but the energy dissipation occurs at frequencies at the other end of the tide’s spatial spectrum. The efficacity of the break-up of the second degree term into the higher modes governs the amount of energy that is eventually dissipated. It appears that the break-up is controlled by global ocean characteristics such as the ocean­-continent geometry and sea floor topography. Friction in a few shallow seas does not appear to be as important as previously thought: New estimates for dissipation in the Bering Sea being almost an order of magnitude smaller than earlier estimates. If bottom friction is important then it must be more uniformly distributed over the world's continental shelves. Likewise, if turbulence provides an important dissipation mechanism it must be fairly uniformly distributed along, for example, coastlines or along continental margins. Such a global distribution of the dissipation makes it improbable that there has been a change in the rate of dissipation during the last few millennium as there is no evidence of changes in ocean volume, or ocean geometry or sea level beyond a few metres. It also suggests that the time scale problem can be resolved if past ocean-continent geometries led to a less efficient breakdown of the second degree harmonic into higher degree harmonics.

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