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The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of difenoconazole (DFC) on the activity of a few enzymes commonly found on soil: dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase and protease. Three experimental variants were established: in field conditions with variable temperature (10-21 °C, variants A1-A3), under laboratory conditions with constant temperature (30 °C, variants B1-B3) and untreated soil (C variant). The commercial product "Score 250EC" with 250 g DFC L-1 was used at the following concentrations: 0.037 mg DFC g-1 soil (variants A1 and B1), 0.075 mg DFC g-1 soil (variants A2 and B2) and 0.150 mg DFC g-1 soil (variants A3 and B3). The dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease activities decreased significantly (p

herbicides, have a broad spectrum effect on weeds, in relatively low doses and with a much reduced toxicity on livestock. In this study were used two herbicides: dacsulfuron with the active substance chlorsulfuron (0.005 - 0.035 μg/g soil) and butoxone with the active substance MCPB-Na (0.005 - 0.035 mg/L/g soil). The samples were collected from a depth of 0-20 cm from chernozem soil. The effect of herbicide was estimated by measuring the activity of catalase, actual and potential dehydrogenase, urease and cellulase activities. All samples being incubated for 10 days at 27°C using Sapp medium for isolation and study of cellulosolytic bacteria. The inhibitory effect of the tested herbicides was the most intense for the urease and dehydrogenase enzymatic activities. The most resistant cellulosolytic bacteria to the effects of dacsulfuron were Cellfalcicula fusca, Cellfalcicula viridis, Cellvibrio fulvus and Fuseaux veris and for butoxone Cellfalcicula mucosa, C. viridis and C. fulvus.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anticancer activity of different extracts of Myrmecodia pendens (the name in the local language is Sarang semut), in the following solvents: water, methanol and N-hexane. The effect of those extracts was tested in four concentrations, which vary between 50µg/ml and 600 µg/ml, and were applied on colon adenocarcinoma cells, cell line CaCo2. The methanolic and Nhexane extracts showed a reduced cytotoxic activity and minor cell lesions, in comparison to the water extracts. We conclude that Myrmecodia pendens extracts can be considered as potential adjuvant in the complementary therapy of the colon cancer, with the mention that the extracts in polar solvent (water) manifest more important anticarcinogenetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, it is ranked the third most common cancer in the world and the fourth leading cause of death. In this study, we aimed to assess the antiproliferative potential of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Curcuma longa influence on therapy-resistant colon cancer cells. HCT cells were seeded in the presence of cisplatin in order to develop the cell line resistant to this drug. Subsequently, the cells were exposed for 24, 48 and 72 hours to different concentrations of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of C. longa. After the study it can be concluded that the plant extracts effects vary depending on the solvent used for the extraction and the incubation times of the cancer cells with the extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Anthropometric variables are important tools in the analysis of body proportions as well as in assessing nutritional status, health status, and body growth and development. The aim of the present study is to analyze the association between anthropometric variables and to establish which variable can best be used in height estimation. The study included a group of 95 adolescents of both sexes aged between 16 and 18 years. Height, weight, sitting height, chest circumference and arm span were measured. Descriptive statistical parameters were calculated for the variables analyzed and correlation and simple linear regression analyses were performed. Coefficients of correlation (r) as well as coefficients of determination (r2) were calculated and the corresponding regression equations were obtained.We found strong correlation between arm span and height in girls, height and leg length in both sexes, chest circumference and weight in both sexes (p < 0.0001 in all of these cases). Moderate correlation was recorded between arm span and height in boys, arm span and leg length in girls, arm span and sitting height in both sexes, height and sitting height in both sexes, arm span and chest circumference in boys. Estimation of height from leg length was 71.44% in girls and 75.14% in boys and from arm span was 70.82% in girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea tree oil is the essential product optained from Melaleuca alternifolia, with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. The antimicrobial effect of the Melaleuca alternifolia extract was tested using standardized bacterial strains: Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis, Legionella pneumophila). The working methods were: the diffusion method (Kirby Bauer) which allows the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (CMI) and the spectrophotometric method to determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (CMB). Based on the inhibition rates, the antimicrobial effect of the Tea Tree Oil (TTO) extract decreases as regards the strains used, as follows: Salmonella enteritidis > Streptococcus pyogenes > Escherichia coli > Legionella pneumophila > Enterococcus faecalis > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition rate values determined upon application of the TTO extract confirm the results obtained for the inhibition rays. The obtained results strongly demonstrate the antibacterial properties of the TTO extract and highlight its use for other strains of pathogenic bacteria [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changing diet and lifestyle has led to an impressive increase in the incidence of obesity in recent decades. Obesity in humans is a serious health issue per se, but also through the association with related disorders, e.g., type II diabetes, hypertension and metabolic disturbances. At the same time it is associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines secreted by adipocytes who are responsible for inducing inflammatory status. The aim of our study was to assess the of kinetics of plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and some seric markers of the metabolic syndrome (total cholesterol, triglycerides, glycaemia) in patients with malignant obesity, before and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The results of our study confirm the benefic role of bariatric surgery. The technique may improve the chronic disease and the state of inflammation associated with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ionic liquids have attracted a great of attention in the scientific community due to their potential pharmaceutical such as antimicrobial. In this paper, the main objective was the assessment of the cytotoxic effect of tetrabutylammonium chloride against HCT 8 human colon carcinoma cell line. The cells were cultured in 75 cm2 culture flasks using RPMI medium supplemented with 10% inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS), penicillin (100 IU/mL) and streptomycin (100 μg/mL) and maintained at 37 °C and 5% CO2. Before achieving viability test, the cells were harvested using trypsin solution (0.25%). Then, the cells were seeded in 24 - well plates at a density of 5 x 105 cells/mL in 100 μL medium/well in order to reach confluence. After 24 h, the medium was replaced with fresh medium containing different concentrations of ionic liquid, respectively, 0.085, 0.17, 0.34, 0.68 and 1.36 mg /mL. Control group contained cells without treatment. Cell proliferation kinetics have been studied at 24 and 48 h after IL treatment, following trypsinization and counting total cells per plate by using a Trypan blue dye and a hemocytometer. Data obtained from the growth kinetics assay shows that the tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) had an inhibitory effect on the growth of cells in a concentration dependent manner. The maximum inhibitory effect on HCT 8 cells it was obtained at 1.36 mg TBAC/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve crop quality and production efficiency, are widely used pesticides. Although they are beneficial in this respect it acts as a stressor on the soil, changing its microbiological balance. The study took into account the determination of physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, humidity and content of organic matter), biochemical (enzymatic activities of dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase and protease) and microbiological (determining the total plate count aerobic mesophilic that develops at 37 ° C, determining the number of colonies of fungi and identifying genres). The determinations were made in a dynamic period of 21 days. Elevated difenoconazole had a deleterious effect on communities affecting soil microorganisms and soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the problem of soil pollution as the result of human activities. Soil pollutans may be either chemicals or biological in nature. microbial enzymatic activities are often proposed as indicators of environmental stress. The soil samples were submitted by chemical, microbiological and enzymatic analyses. Chemical analyses were been made for determinating the heavy metals. Heavy metals from the forest soil were represented by Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr. To evaluate the concentration in heavy metals from the filtrate, we used a acetylene-nitrous oxide flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Potential dehydrogenase activity, the only indicator of the possible sources of pollution, excluded the presence of either chemical or biological pollution. The number of bacteria involved in the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen in the analyzed soil indicated a high efficiency regarding the mineralization of the organic residues of plant and animal origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver regeneration after loss of important cell population is a complex process involving all mature liver cell types. We study the response of hepatocytes in 24h and 48h after partial hepatectomy by microscopic and morphometric analysis. Thirty adult male NMRI, 8 week old mice were used in the study. Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (68%) in mice is a complex process that is performed on account differentiated mature hepatocyte proliferation, as evidenced by the presence of nuclei hypertrophy, binucleate cells or polyploidy, and numerous mitotic figures. Morphometrical analysis of cell size showed increases in average dimension of the control compared to the experimental groups. After this study, we can conclude that liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is marked by the proliferation of liver cell population, while reducing the apoptotic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfonylurea herbicides are frequently used in agricultural crops even if they determine quantitative and qualitative changes in soil microbial communities. In this study it was used increasing doses of two sulfonylurea herbicides, tribenuron-methyl and nicosulfuron, in order to establish their effect on actinomyces communities from soil under laboratory conditions. Using nutritive gelose with soil extract and Gause medium the main species of actinomyces were identified: Streptomyces albus, Streptomyces aureus and Streptomyces chrysomallus. Streptomyces albus is the most abundant species, which could indicate a resistance to used herbicides. Sulfonylurea herbicides, tribenuronmethyl and nicosulfuron, point out a lower value, inhibiting the actinomycete communities from soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphonylureic herbicides are a group of post-emergent herbicides which contain in chemical structure sulphonylurea. Sulphonylureic herbicides have three distinct parts in their molecule: a nitrogen heterocycle, a sulphonylurea bridge and an aryl group. Tribenuron-methyl and nicosulfuron are part of this group of herbicides. They are commonly used in agricultural crops even though they cause qualitative and quantitative changes in soil microbial communities. The studies aimed to reveal the effect of these two herbicides applied under laboratory conditions on soil mold communities from soil. Potato-Glucose-Agar (PGA) medium was used to isolate the main genus of molds. The main genus of fungi isolated was represented by Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Curvularia, Cladosporium, Rhizopus si Humicola. Fusarium sp. is the main component of the experimental variants, demonstrating its strongest resistance to the xenobiotic actions. Sulfonylureic herbicides, tribenuron-methyl and nicosulfuron point out a lower value, inhibiting the actinomycetes community development and fungi communities in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are considered to be natural substances produced by fungi, infecting cereals and other agricultural products. The study was conducted on 20 male Sprague-Dowley rats which received feed with known concentration of DON. The animals were divided in 4 groups: Group I - control group, group II - 3 mg//Kgc DON, group III - 5 mg/Kgc DON, group IV - 9 mg/Kgc DON. The blood samples were taken and the main components of bloods were analyzed: erythrocytes, platelets, leucocytes, Ht. (hematocrit), Hb. (concentration hemoglobin). Variations of blood parameters give information regarding the influence of DON on functionality of cardiovascular and excretory system. Administration of DON contaminated feeds determined at Sprague-Dowley rats a decrease of erythrocytes and platelets with each increasing dose (p < 0.05), a decrease of hematocrit and concentration of hemoglobin and no significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed regarding the number of leucocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was set up to evaluate influence of two herbicides on microbial processes from soil. Soil for the experiment was taken from field sites of Plant Breeding discipline from the U.S.A.M.V.B. department in Timisoara. The soil has been sifted through a sieve of 2 mm and placed in polyethylene bags. Doses of herbicides have been prepared with distilled water and applied on the soil samples as a part of moisture in order to ensure the 40% soil moisture. Soil samples were incubated at 28°C for 7 days afterwards were determined six enzymatic activities: catalase, actual and potential dehydrogenase, urease, trivalent iron reduction, cellulolytic. The nicosulphuron effects on enzymatic activity are lower compared with tribenuron-methyl but all studied bacterial communities decrease in number as the quantity of nicosulphuron and tribenuron-methyl increases. The analyses showed that urease and dehydrogenase activities are essential to evaluate the effects of xenobiotic substances and the cellulolytic bacteria are very sensible to used xenobiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, surface waters are becoming increasingly polluted due to anthropogenic factors such as industry, wastewater discharge and waste water, wastes and chemicals, but it`s also due to natural factors such as floods and deforestation. The purpose of this paper is to determine water and sediment quality. Ecophysiological bacteria groups are as follows: sulphat-reducing anaerobic bacteria, iron-reducing and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Bacteriological determinations have been made using serial dilution techniques, elective environment cultures for every group: Starkey, Ottow and Ashby environments. Bacteria belonging to different ecophysiological groups (sulfate-reducing, iron-reducing, nitrogenfixing, anaerobic and aerobic) have been identified in sediment samples taken from Timis and Bega Rivers, with only one exception. Azothobacter, aerobic nitrogen-fixing bacteria is missing from every sediment sample. Sulphate-reducing bacteria, found in large numbers, in the sediment samples from Remetea and Lugojel villages, indicate hydrocarbon pollution. Iron-reducing bacteria are absent at the sampling point villages Lugojel, Step and Remetea bridge, where it creates anaerobic environment conditions. Bacterial indicator of sediment quality in Timis and Bega Rivers vary depending on each sampling point. It has values between 1,701 and 2,049 on the river Timis and 1,678 - 2,047 on Bega River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the fact that, for a few years now, our focus is more and more concentrated on safety and security of meat and vegetable products, this study's aim is to evaluate the quality of certain well - known meat products (sausages, dry salami, and half-dried salami), purchased in a supermarket, from Timisoara. Microbiological tests were made especially on sanitary microbiological indicators (Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella). These tests emphasize hygiene in processing ang handling of products. In some cases, it higtlights how various heat treatments (pasteurization type) apply to food products. It also establishes the microbial load on the microscopic field and the colony forming units, by a culture method in plates, at 37° C for 48 hours. Based on the obtained results, it has been established that, concerning the microbial load and the presence or absence of coliform bacteria, studied products fall into the quality permitted by applicable law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bone resistance largely depends on the bone mineral density. Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bone resistance is affected, and establishing a diagnostic of certainty can be achieved by determining the bone mineral density. The present paper is based on the analysis of the results of the osteodensitometric investigation conducted on 361 patients who had been diagnosed with primary or secondary osteoporosis. The investigation took into account the hip bone and the vertebral column, and the following parameters have been analyzed: bone mineral content, bone mineral density, T-score and Z-score. We analyzed the evolution of the bone mineral density with increasing age, the existence of a connection between the bone mineral density determined at the vertebral column and at the hip, the connection between the T- and Z-score and age at the population we took into account, as well as the existence and the type of discordance in diagnosis for the two points of determination. We found out that there is a decrease in the bone mineral density above the age of 40; concerning the T-score, there is an obvious decrease tendency with ageing, both at the vertebral column and at the hip, while in the case of the Z-score, the tendency is that of increasing with age. The most frequent discordance in diagnosis found in the population we analyzed is the minor one. The axial skeleton is preponderantly affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several reasons for this study: pollution assessment in the Cerna-Belareca-Danube hydrographic system, based on enzymatic activities of microorganisms in the sediment; establishment of possible pollution sources; the effect they have on microorganism communities in the studied aquatic ecosystem. Established enzymatic activities were the following: catalase, actual and potential dehydrogenase, urease and the capacity to reduce Fe III. Based on the enzymatic activity, we established the enzymatic indicator of sediment quality, which gives us a complete image of activities in studied sediment. Sampling has been performed in spring and autumn 2008, in 8 sample points located near the area, where it is believed that there are sources of pollution. This enzymatic indicator of sediment quality (EISQ) in spring recorded values between 0.208 Toplet downstream and 0.323 in sediment taken from Orsova shipyard. The samples analyzed in autumn had values between 0.335 taken from Orsova and 0.424 from Toplet downstream. The enzymatic indicator of sediment quality varies seasonally, depending on the sampling point from Cerna-Belareca-Danube. Additional contribution of organic sulfur compounds and microorganisms involved in sulfur cycle indicate relatively close results in both seasons for the enzymatic indicator of sediment quality at Herculane sampling point. Low values of the enzymatic indicator of sediment quality, at sampling points Orsova harbor and Orsova shipyard is due to oil pollution, varnishes, paints, detergents and metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contains data on number and activity of a microorganism population present in sediments from River Timis. Data allow us to identify possible pollution sources and determine their effect on certain groups of ecophysiological microorganisms. Bacteriological studies had in view to establish three groups of ecophysiological microorganisms: nitrifying bacteria, nitrogen fixing bacteria (aerobic fixing - Azotobacter vinellandi and Azotobacter chroococcum, anaerobic fixing - Clostridium sp.) and iron-reducing bacteria. Establishment has been made using the seriate dilution technique and the environment culture of every ecophysiological group. Based on absolute values from the 3 microorganism groups, the bacterial indicator of sediment quality (BISQ) has been established. Bacterial indicator show values ranging between 1.400 (Lugoj upstream) and 1.305 (Confluence Timiş-Sebeş). Bacterial indicator of sediment quality has variations depending on sampling. Higher values are recorded at sampling points located upstream compared to those located downstream the cities they cross. Around cities like Caransebes and Lugoj, River Timis presents a chemical pollution made by sewage and industrial waste water. It has a negative effect on the number and activity of microorganisms in sediment. In the area from a town called Sag, River Timis recorded water pollution of animal origin, probably derived from livestock farms. It has an effect of stimulating the number and activity of nitrogen fixing microorganisms in aquatic sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study my purpose is to present a few results concerning the blood concentration of calcium, magnesium, iron, chlorine, phosphorus, copper, sodium and potassium ions, which can evidence the seasonal variations of the seric iconography at normal human beings. The blood was taken in the morning, without eating, from the antecubital vein. This is all about the coagulated blood sample, from which the serum was taken, 1 or 2 hours after the collect. Establishments were made on the same day or the second day. Meanwhile, the blood was kept at a temperature of 4° C. The study was made in a group of 20 people, after puberty, between 18 and 25 years old, in two seasons: autumn and spring. In spring, the low concentration of sodium, potassium, chlorine, phosphor, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper, indicate improper nourishment, just a few quantities of fruits and vegetables during the winter season. Low values of the calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine ions from the female blood is due to their physiological aspect (their monthly period). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit cytotoxic effects on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In this study, the antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of tetrahexylammonium bromide-based ILs were investigated. In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these ionic liquids, firstly microbiological assay using both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were conducted by employing Disk-Diffusion and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chlorine (TTC) methods to assess the antimicrobial effects. Likewise, the antitumor effects on 2D and 3D cell culture systems were assessed using the human colon cancer Caco-2 cell line and cytotoxic activity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Alamar blue assays. Results obtained showed that [CH3(CH2)5]4N(Br) possesses an antibacterial potential, particularly in the case of two bacteria, S. aureus (Gram+) and H. influenzae (Gram-). Preliminary screening of antiproliferative activity showed moderate activity, except for the concentration of 10 mM. Furthermore, regarding the effect of [CH3(CH2)5]4N(Br) on tumor cell aggregation, positive outcomes were noted. [CH3(CH2)5]4N(Br) presents promising and under-explored potential to improve antibacterial or anticancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]