scholarly journals Effects of electrically transferred molecular information on the germination of garden cress

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. 122-131
Author(s):  
Romana Ruzic ◽  
Igor Jerman ◽  
Metod Skarja ◽  
Robert T. Leskovar ◽  
Lea Mogilnicki

We followed a hypothesis that biologically relevant information from various substances can be non-chemically transferred to organisms through a combination of a high voltage electric field that can stably imprint information into water or a water solution. A special device was constructed, and a thoroughly tested biological sensor system (i.e. cress seedlings exposed to a defined heat stress), was used. The results demonstrate a clear evidence of biological effects of electrically imprinted information of biologically active substances into water solution, however not necessarily with an obvious connection to the effects of the original (donor) substance. The growth reaction of cress seedlings was either stimulatory or inhibitory, depending on the time of the application. Keywords:  Molecular information, electromagnetic transfer, heat stress, herbicide, cytokine, cress, germination.   Efeitos de informação molecular transferida eletricamente sobre a germinação do agrião Resumo Seguimos a hipótese de que informação biologicamente relevante de várias substâncias pode ser transferida de maneira não química a organismos, através da combinação de um campo elétrico de alta intensidade, que pode imprimir estavelmente informação na água ou sistemas aquosos. Foi construído um aparelho especial e foi utilizado um sistema sensor especial, amplamente provado (plantas de agrião expostas a estresse térmico definido). Os resultados demonstram evidéncia dos efeitos de informação eletricamente impressa de substâncias biologicamente ativas em soluções aquosas. No entanto, estes efeitos não estão necessariamente ligados aos próprios da substância original (doadora). A reação de crescimento das plantas de agrião foi ora estimulatória ou inibidora, dependendo do momento da aplicação. Palavras-chave:  Informações moleculares, transferéncias electromagnéticos, estresse térmico, herbicida, citocinas, agrião, germinação.   Efectos de información molecular transferida eléctricamente sobre la germinación de berro Resumen Seguimos la hipótesis de que información biológicamente relevante de varias sustancias puede ser transferida de modo no químico a organismos mediante la combinación de un campo eléctrico de alto voltaje que puede imprimir establemente información en el agua o soluciones acuosas. Un aparato especial fue construído y un sistema sensor ampliamente probado (mudas de berro expuestas a stress térmico definido) fie utilizado. Los resultados demuestran clara evidencia de los efectos de información eléctricamente impresa de sustancias biológicamente activas en soluciones acuosas, sin embargo, estos efectos no están necesariamente asociados con los propios de la sustancia original (donante). La reacción de crecimiento de las mudas de berro fue estimuladora o inhibidora dependiendo del horario de aplicación. Palabras-clave:  Información molecular, transferencias electromagnéticas, estrés térmico, herbicidas, citoquinas, germinacion.   Correspondence author:  Romana Ruzic, [email protected] How to cite this article:  Ruzic R, Jerman I, Skarja M, Leskovar RT, Mogilnicki L. Electromagnetic transference of molecular information in garden cress germination. Int J High Dilution Res [online]. 2008 [cited YYYY Mmm DD]; 7(24): 122-131. Available from: http://journal.giri-society.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/300/366.  

Author(s):  
Priyobrata Nath ◽  
Agnish Mukherjee ◽  
Sougata Mukherjee ◽  
Sabyasachi Banerjee ◽  
Samarpita Das ◽  
...  

: Isatin is an endogenous and a significant category of fused heterocyclic component, widely been a part of several potential biologically useful synthetics. Since its discovery, tons of research work has been conducted with respect to the synthesis, chemical properties, and biological and industrial applications. It contains indole nucleus having both lactam and keto moiety which while being a part of a molecular framework exerted several biological effects, viz.; antimicrobial, antitubercular, anticonvulsant, anticancer etc. Isatin derivatives are synthetically significant substrates, which can be utilized for the synthesis of huge diversified chemical entities of which few members emerged to be a drug. The reason for this review is to provide extensive information pertaining to the chemistry and its significance in altering several pathological states of isatin and its derivatives. A Structure Activity Relationships study thus developed through a gamut of scientific information indicates the importance of mostly electron withdrawing groups, halogens, nitro, alkoxy and to a minor extent groups with positive inductive effects, such as methyl at position 1, 5, 6 and 7 of isatin in alleviating several clinical conditions. It is also observed from the survey that the presence of two oxo groups at position 2 and 3 sometimes become insignificant as fusion with a heterocycle at those position resulted in a biologically relevant compound.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulden Olgun ◽  
Afshan Nabi ◽  
Oznur Tastan

Abstract Background While some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are assigned critical regulatory roles, most remain functionally uncharacterized. This presents a challenge whenever an interesting set of ncRNAs needs to be analyzed in a functional context. Transcripts located close-by on the genome are often regulated together. This genomic proximity on the sequence can hint at a functional association. Results We present a tool, NoRCE, that performs cis enrichment analysis for a given set of ncRNAs. Enrichment is carried out using the functional annotations of the coding genes located proximal to the input ncRNAs. Other biologically relevant information such as topologically associating domain (TAD) boundaries, co-expression patterns, and miRNA target prediction information can be incorporated to conduct a richer enrichment analysis. To this end, NoRCE includes several relevant datasets as part of its data repository, including cell-line specific TAD boundaries, functional gene sets, and expression data for coding & ncRNAs specific to cancer. Additionally, the users can utilize custom data files in their investigation. Enrichment results can be retrieved in a tabular format or visualized in several different ways. NoRCE is currently available for the following species: human, mouse, rat, zebrafish, fruit fly, worm, and yeast. Conclusions NoRCE is a platform-independent, user-friendly, comprehensive R package that can be used to gain insight into the functional importance of a list of ncRNAs of any type. The tool offers flexibility to conduct the users’ preferred set of analyses by designing their own pipeline of analysis. NoRCE is available in Bioconductor and https://github.com/guldenolgun/NoRCE.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2937
Author(s):  
Naima Agouram ◽  
El Mestafa El Hadrami ◽  
Abdeslem Bentama

Natural peptides are an important class of chemical mediators, essential for most vital processes. What limits the potential of the use of peptides as drugs is their low bioavailability and enzymatic degradation in vivo. To overcome this limitation, the development of new molecules mimicking peptides is of great importance for the development of new biologically active molecules. Therefore, replacing the amide bond in a peptide with a heterocyclic bioisostere, such as the 1,2,3-triazole ring, can be considered an effective solution for the synthesis of biologically relevant peptidomimetics. These 1,2,3-triazoles may have an interesting biological activity, because they behave as rigid link units, which can mimic the electronic properties of amide bonds and show bioisosteric effects. Additionally, triazole can be used as a linker moiety to link peptides to other functional groups.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Maite Olaetxea ◽  
Veronica Mora ◽  
Roberto Baigorri ◽  
Angel M. Zamarreño ◽  
Jose M. García-Mina

Some studies have reported that the capacity of humic substances to improve plant growth is dependent on their ability to increase root hydraulic conductivity. It was proposed that this effect is directly related to the structural conformation in solution of these substances. To study this hypothesis, the effects on root hydraulic conductivity and growth of cucumber plants of a sedimentary humic acid and two polymers—polyacrylic acid and polyethylene glycol—presenting a molecular conformation in water solution different from that of the humic acid have been studied. The results show that whereas the humic acid caused an increase in root hydraulic conductivity and plant growth, both the polyacrylic acid and the polyethylene glycol did not modify plant growth and caused a decrease in root hydraulic conductivity. These results can be explained by the different molecular conformation in water solution of the three molecular systems. The relationships between these biological effects and the molecular conformation of the three molecular systems in water solution are discussed.


Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izhar Hyder Qazi ◽  
Christiana Angel ◽  
Haoxuan Yang ◽  
Evangelos Zoidis ◽  
Bo Pan ◽  
...  

Selenium (Se) is an important trace mineral having many essential roles at the cellular and organismal levels in animal and human health. The biological effects of Se are mainly carried out by selenoproteins (encoded by 25 genes in humans and 24 in mice). As an essential component of selenoproteins, Se performs structural and enzymic roles; in the latter context it is well known for its catalytic and antioxidative functions. Studies involving different animal models have added great value to our understanding regarding the potential implications of Se and selenoproteins in mammalian fertility and reproduction. In this review, we highlight the implications of selenoproteins in male fertility and reproduction followed by the characteristic biological functions of Se and selenoproteins associated with overall male reproductive function. It is evident from observations of past studies (both animal and human) that Se is essentially required for spermatogenesis and male fertility, presumably because of its vital role in modulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms and other essential biological pathways and redox sensitive transcription factors. However, bearing in mind the evidences from mainstream literature, it is also advisable to perform more studies focusing on the elucidation of additional roles played by the peculiar and canonical selenoproteins i.e., glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) in the male reproductive functions. Nevertheless, search for the elucidation of additional putative mechanisms potentially modulated by other biologically relevant selenoproteins should also be included in the scope of future studies. However, as for the implication of Se in fertility and reproduction in men, though a few clinical trials explore the effects of Se supplementation on male fertility, due to inconsistencies in the recruitment of subjects and heterogeneity of designs, the comparison of such studies is still complicated and less clear. Therefore, further research focused on the roles of Se and selenoproteins is awaited for validating the evidences at hand and outlining any therapeutic schemes intended for improving male fertility. As such, new dimensions could be added to the subject of male fertility and Se supplementation.


1991 ◽  
Vol 260 (1) ◽  
pp. R126-R133 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Johannsen ◽  
J. Wecke ◽  
F. Obal ◽  
J. M. Krueger

Muramyl peptides have a variety of biological effects in mammals, including enhancement of the immune response, sleep, and body temperature. Although mammals lack biosynthetic pathways for muramyl peptides, they are found in mammals and are well known as components of bacterial cell walls. This suggests that phagocytic mammalian cells digest bacterial cell walls and produce biologically active muramyl peptides. Staphylococcal cell walls were radioactively labeled during growth of the bacteria. During the digestion of these radiolabeled bacteria, murine bone marrow macrophages produced low-molecular-weight substances that coeluted chromatographically with the radioactive cell wall marker. Further separation of these substances using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography resulted in the isolation of substances with high specific biological activity. Intracerebroventricular injection of rabbits with these substances induced an increase in slow-wave sleep and body temperature and a suppression of rapid-eye-movement sleep. The characteristics of the biological responses and the chromatographic behavior of the active components are consistent with those of muramyl peptides. The ability of macrophages to tailor muramyl peptides from peptidoglycan may provide an amplification step for the immune response. Muramyl peptides released by macrophages may also act as mediators for various facets of the acute phase response elicited by bacterial infections such as fever and sleep.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 14-24
Author(s):  
N.N. Gessler ◽  
E.P. Isakova ◽  
Yu.I. Deryabina

Using the extremophilic yeast of Yarrowia lipolytica, a new model has been proposed to study the protective properties of stilbene polyphenols, namely resveratrol and pinosylvin, under heat shock. It was shown that a short-term thermal exposure of yeast cells (55 C, 25 min) led to a 40% decrease in the colony-forming ability of the population, a fivefold decrease in the respiration rate, and a growth of cyanide resistance and catalase activity, which indicated the adaptive yeast response to heat stress. Under these conditions, natural biologically active stilbenes, resveratrol and pinosylvin, at a concentration of 10 μM each increased yeast survival by 28% and 13%, respectively. In heat shock, resveratrol additionally raised catalase activity, while pinosylvin increased the cell respiration rate and decreased cyanide resistance and catalase activity. The results obtained indicate that resveratrol acts as a mild pro-oxidant inducing antioxidant protection during the adaptive response of the yeast to heat shock. Unlike resveratrol, pinosylvin increases cell survival stabilizing mitochondrial function and preserving the ATP-generating component of respiration. Yarrowia lipolytica yeast, polyphenols, stilbenoids, resveratrol, pinosylvin, cellular respiratory activity, heat shock, superoxide dismutase, catalase


Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tunde Jurikova ◽  
Sona Skrovankova ◽  
Jiri Mlcek ◽  
Stefan Balla ◽  
Lukas Snopek

Lesser known fruits or underutilized fruit species are recently of great research interest due to the presence of phytochemicals that manifest many biological effects. European cranberry, Vaccinium oxycoccos fruit, as an important representative of this group, is a valuable source of antioxidants and other biologically active substances, similar to American cranberry (V. macrocarpon) which is well known and studied. European cranberry fruit is rich especially in polyphenolic compounds anthocyanins (12.4–207.3 mg/100 g fw), proanthocyanins (1.5–5.3 mg/100 g fw), and flavonols, especially quercetin (0.52–15.4 mg/100 g fw), which mostly contribute to the antioxidant activity of the fruit. Small cranberry is also important due to its various biological effects such as urinary tract protection (proanthocyanidins), antibacterial and antifungal properties (quercetin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins), cardioprotective (proanthocyanidins) and anticancer activities (proanthocyanidins), and utilization in food (juice drinks, jams, jellies, sauces, additive to meat products) and pharmacological industries, and in folk medicine.


2003 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassidy

Interest in the physiological role of bioactive compounds present in plants has increased dramatically over the last decade. Of particular interest in relation to human health are the class of compounds known as the phytoestrogens, which embody several groups of non-steroidal oestrogens including isoflavones & lignans that are widely distributed within the plant kingdom. Data from animal and in vitro studies provide plausible mechanisms to explain how phytoestrogens may influence hormone dependent states, but although the clinical application of diets rich in these oestrogen mimics is in its infancy, data from preliminary studies suggest potential beneficial effects of importance to health. Phytoestrogens are strikingly similar in chemical structure to the mammalian oestrogen, oestradiol, and bind to oestrogen receptors (ER) with a preference for the more recently described ERb. This suggests that these compounds may exert tissue specific effects. Numerous other biological effects independent of the ER (e.g. antioxidant capacity, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects) have been ascribed to these compounds. Whether phytoestrogens have any biological activity in humans, either hormonal or non hormonal is a contentious issue and there is currently a paucity of data on human exposure. Much of the available data on the absorption and metabolism of dietary phytoestrogens is of a qualitative nature; it is known that dietary phytoestrogens are metabolised by intestinal bacteria, absorbed, conjugated in the liver, circulated in plasma and excreted in urine. Recent studies have addressed quantitatively what happens to isoflavones following ingestion – with pure compound and stable isotope data to compliment recent pharmacokinetic data for soy foods. The limited studies conducted so far in humans clearly confirm that soya isoflavones can exert hormonal effects. These effects may be of benefit in the prevention of many of the common diseases observed in Western populations (such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis) where the diet is typically devoid of these biologically active naturally occurring compounds. However since biological effects are dependent on many factors including dose, duration of use, protein binding affinity, individual metabolism and intrinsic oestrogenic state, further clinical studies are necessary to determine the potential health effects of these compounds in specific population groups. However we currently know little about age related differences in exposure to these compounds and there are few guidelines on optimal dose for specific health outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1953) ◽  
pp. 20210774
Author(s):  
Beth Mortimer ◽  
James A. Walker ◽  
David S. Lolchuragi ◽  
Michael Reinwald ◽  
David Daballen

African elephants ( Loxodonta africana ) use many sensory modes to gather information about their environment, including the detection of seismic, or ground-based, vibrations. Seismic information is known to include elephant-generated signals, but also potentially encompasses biotic cues that are commonly referred to as ‘noise’. To investigate seismic information transfer in elephants beyond communication, here we tested the hypothesis that wild elephants detect and discriminate between seismic vibrations that differ in their noise types, whether elephant- or human-generated. We played three types of seismic vibrations to elephants: seismic recordings of elephants (elephant-generated), white noise (human-generated) and a combined track (elephant- and human-generated). We found evidence of both detection of seismic noise and discrimination between the two treatments containing human-generated noise. In particular, we found evidence of retreat behaviour, where seismic tracks with human-generated noise caused elephants to move further away from the trial location. We conclude that seismic noise are cues that contain biologically relevant information for elephants that they can associate with risk. This expands our understanding of how elephants use seismic information, with implications for elephant sensory ecology and conservation management.


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