Latifeh Pourakbar, Mehdi Abedzadeh,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (3-2015)
Abstract
Effects of ozone depletion and increase of UV radiation have been studied by many researchers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UV-B radiation on Melissa officinalis L. as well as the impact of salicylic acid and magnetic fields in the reduction of harmful effects of radiation on plants. The Melissa officinalis L. plants were treated with 28 ± 2 Cº for approximately 60 days. The light intensity was 150 µ E mˉ² Sˉ¹ and the light/dark regime was 16/8 h. UV-B treatment was applied after the six-leaf stage for a period of 15 days and 20 min every day. Salicylic acid (1mM) was daily sprayed on the plants after the six-leaf stage for one week. Magnetic field treatment was applied for an hour with intensities of 0, 40 and 85 mT. The results indicated that the UV-B radiation led to reduction of root and shoot dry and fresh weights, and root and shoot elongation. The radiations also reduced the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid), sugar and soluble proteins. The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and UV-absorbing content compounds increased under the effect of UV-B radiation. The results showed that treatment with salicylic acid and magnetic fields reduced damages to the plant due to UV-B radiation.
Nazanin Vasei, Javad Baharara, Saeedeh Zafar Balanezhad, Elahe Amini,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2015)
Abstract
Electromagnetic field is a stress factor which can interfere with the functions of body organs. This study aims to evaluate the protective impact of the aqua extract of Persian Gulf sea cucumber on damages induced by low frequency electromagnetic field in male gonads of Balb/C mice. Mice were divided into control, sham-exposed and 5 experimental groups. The experimental groups were then exposed to electromagnetic field (for 10 days and 4 hours per day). Experimental groups 2-5 also received extract of sea cucumber (6h before electromagnetic field). The samples were fixed for histological studies and stained by H & E method. The measurement of the diameter and number of seminiferous tubules, testis diameter, testis and epididymis weight, tunica albuginea thickness, the number of spermatogenic cells including spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells was then executed. The results showed that the impact of electromagnetic field exposure was not significant on epididymis weight, seminiferous tubules diameter and tunica albuginea thickness, while its impact on the reduction of the testis diameter and weight, the number of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic cells was significant in experimental group 1. In addition, the experimental groups pre-treated with sea cucumber extract indicated significant increment, as compared with experimental group 1.The results proved the destructive effect of electromagnetic field on testis tissue parameters, while sea cucumber extract prevents damages induced by electromagnetic field on male sexual glands of mice.
Mina Maleki, Mohammad Pooya Naghshbandi, Zahra Hajihassan,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2020)
Abstract
Magentotactic bacteria are the types of bacteria capable of orientation in an external magnetic field because of the ability to produce structures called magnetosomes. Magnetosomes, nanometer-scale structures, are present in most of the magnetotactice bacteria. They are intracellular organelles composed of magnetic iron mineral crystals individually surrounded by a phospholipid layer. Because of the unique features of magnetosomes, magentotactic bacteria have become the fascinating subject of research in many research and applied fields of study, including robotics, medicine, biology, environment and geology. In this review, we have tried to introduce magentotactic bacteria, the formation of magnetosomes and their structures, in order to highlight the importance of these bacteria. Finally, some applications of these bacteria in different areas of research, e.g. targeted drug delivery, cancer treatment and removal of heavy metals from water, were described in order that a better understanding of their applications could be obtained.
Shahin Esmaeilnezhad, Farhad Mashayekhi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2020)
Abstract
Amniotic fluid (AF) is essential for fetal development and maturation during pregnancy. The levels of proteins in AF have been determined in many studies to screen for potential biomarkers of pregnancy-associated abnormalities. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a major AF and plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during the fetal period. APF serum concentrations are commonly used for screening of many syndromes. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) were reported to change gene expression in the embryo and in adults. The aim of this research was to assess the effects of 50hertz/1millitesla EMFs on AFP expression in the AF in the mouse embryo. AF samples were obtained from pregnant mice in gestational days 16 and 18. AFP relative expression was studied by western blotting. The results of this study showed that AFP relative expression increases in the EMF-treated AF as compared with either SHAM or control groups. It is concluded that EMF increases the AFP relative expression in the AF. It is also suggested that EMF may change the AFP expression in the AF by altering the expression of genes, including AFP, and/or by affecting the permeability of blood barriers.
