Alterations of lipid profile in plasma and liver of diabetic rats: effect of hypoglycemic herbs

The effect of three species of hypoglycemic herbs (Termis, Halfa barr, or Kammun Quaramany) on the lipid profile was investigated in plasma and liver tissues of diabetic and herbs-treated diabetic rats. This profile includes total lipids (TL), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). A dose of 1.5 ml of aqueous suspension of each herb/100 g body weight (equivalent to 75 mg/100 g body weight) was orally administered daily to alloxan-diabetic rats for four weeks. The present study showed 2-fold increase (p<0.05) in the plasma glucose level of diabetic rats, which received alloxan as a single dose of 120 mg/kg body weight, relative to the mean value of control group. This elevated glucose level was restored to its normal level after treatment with any one of the three herbs. Furthermore, the levels of TL, TG, cholesterol, LDL and VLDL were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the plasma and the liver tissues of diabetic rats compared to the control group, whereas HDL level was significantly (p<0.05) decreased. The plasma levels of all above parameters were normalized after treatment of the diabetic rats with Kammun Quaramany. Treatment of diabetic rats with Tennis normalized TG, cholesterol, LDL and VLDL levels, but Halfa barr restored the induced levels of plasma cholesterol, LDL and HDL to their normal levels. On the other hand, treatment with any of the three herbal suspensions could not restore the concentrations of the all tested parameters in the liver. These data demonstrated that the glycemic control of any of the three herbal suspensions was associated with their hypocholesterolemic effects on the hypercholesterolemia of the alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, the Kammun Quaramany showed the most potent effect.     

Bioconversion of olive-mill dry residue by Fusarium lateritium and subsequent impact on its phytotoxicity

The present study investigated the ability of the non-pathogenic fungus Fusarium lateritium to either degrade or modify aromatic substances in olive-mill dry residue (DOR) and to reduce its phytotoxicity. The 80% reduction of ethylacetate extractable phenols in DOR colonized by the fungus for 20 weeks appeared to be due to polymerization reactions of phenol molecules as suggested by mass-balance ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography experiments. Several lignin-modifying oxidases, including laccase, Mn-peroxidase and Mn-inhibited peroxidase were detected in F. lateritium solid-state cultures. Tests performed with tomato seedlings in soils containing 6% (w/w) sterilized non-inoculated DOR showed that the waste was highly phytotoxic. By contract, F. lateritium growth on DOR for 20 weeks led to a complete removal of the waste toxicity and to a higher shoot dry weight of tomato plants than that obtained in the absence of DOR.     

Treatment of chlorinated solvents by TiO2 photocatalysis and photo-Fenton: influence of operating conditions in a solar pilot plant

Titanium dioxide photocatalysis (using 20 0mg l(-1) of TiO2), under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and photo-Fenton (2 and 56 mg l(-1) iron) were applied to the treatment of different NBCS (non-biodegradable chlorinated solvents), such as dichloroethane, dichloromethane and trichloromethane dissolved in water at 50 mg l(-1). All the tests were performed in a 35-l solar pilot plant with compound parabolic collectors (CPCs) under natural illumination. The two solar treatments were compared with attention to chloride release and TOC mineralisation, as the main parameters. Photo-Fenton was found to be the more appropriate treatment for these compounds, assuming volatilisation as a drawback of photocatalytic degradation of NBCS dissolved in water. In this context, several operating parameters related to NBCS degradation, e.g., treatment time, temperature, hydrogen peroxide consumption and volatility of parent compounds are discussed. The correct choice of operating conditions can very often diminish the problem of volatilisation during treatment.     

Oxidative treatment of simulated dyehouse effluent by uv and near-UV light assisted Fenton's reagent

UV/Fenton, near-UV-visible/Fenton, dark Fenton, and H₂O₂/UV reactions have been used to treat simulated dyehouse effluents representing wastewater from the textile dyeing and rinsing process. Experiments were carried out in a lab - scale photochemical reactor using concentrations of 0.5–25 mM H₂O₂, 0.04-0.5 mM Fe²⁺-ion and different dilutions of textile wastewater. To assess the extent of mineralization, decolourization kinetics and the effect of different fight sources on treatment efficiency, DOC, optical density at 254 nm and 600 nm wavelength and residual H₂O₂ concentrations were measured during the course of the advanced oxidation reactions. Comparative evaluation of the obtained results revealed that the decolourization rate increased with applied H₂O₂ and Fe²⁺-ion dose as well as the strength of the synthetic textile wastewater. The best results were obtained by the near - UV/visible/Fenton process with a decolourization rate constant of 1.57 min⁻¹, a UV_254nm reduction of 97% and a DOC removal of 41% at relatively low doses of the H₂O₂ oxidant and Fe²⁺-ion catalyst within 60 min treatment time.     

Variability of the Ecological and Morphological Characteristics of Field Vole (Microtus agrestis) in the Southern and Middle Urals

Russian Journal of Ecology - The variability of the ecological and morphological characteristics of the field vole was studied on samples collected in its two localities of the Southern Urals and...     

Changes in the Distribution of Broadleaf Tree Species in the Central Part of the Southern Urals since the 1970s

Russian Journal of Ecology - Changes in the distribution of broadleaf tree species—Tilia cordata Mill., Quercus robur L., Acer platanoides L., and Ulmus glabra Huds.—in the central part...     

City surface solid waste in Nigerian cities

Within the last few years, uncleared solid wastes, in the form of heaps, have become a common sight in many Nigerian streets and open spaces. In order to assess the magnitudes of these wastes, a survey of selected 15 Nigerian cities was conducted for 2 months in 1982 with a team of 116 enumerators. It was found that the volumes of these uncleared wastes ranged from about 2 × 10⁶ kg/yr to as high as 56 × 10⁶ kg/yr in the cities studies. It was also found that the areas within a radius of 0.5 km of the city centres accounted for about 40% of these uncleared volumes of solid wastes.As distances increased from the city centres, the volumes of these wastes tended to decline. Therefore, it was determined that the main problem areas for uncleared solid wastes are in and around the city centres. These areas should demand special attention by city waste disposal agents.     

Carbon fluxes from coarse woody debris in southern taiga forests of the Valdai Upland

Studies in three typical forest biotopes of the Valdai Upland were performed to evaluate the stocks and surface area of coarse woody debris from spruce and birch (in linear transects), its colonization by xylotrophic fungi (during reconnaissance surveys), and CO₂ emission (by a chamber method). The stock and surface area were minimum in a paludal birch forest (46.4 m³/ha and 960 m²/ha) and maximum in a decay area of spruce forest (256.1 m³/ha and 3761 m²/ha, respectively). The assemblages of wood-decay fungi had a composition typically found in southern taiga forests. The total CO₂ flux varied from 145 kg C-CO₂/ha per year in the paludal birch forest to 462 kg C-CO₂/ha per year in small herb–green moss spruce forest. It is concluded that air temperature is an informative predictor of seasonal C-CO₂ flux rate from coarse woody debris.     

Dietary overlap among ruminants,geese, and lemmings of Wrangel Island in summer

Trends in the dynamics of herbivore community related to trophic competition in summer have been analyzed on Wrangel Island. The results show that the trophic spectra overlap considerably, resources are partitioned on the principle “weak competitors after strong competitors,” and community dynamics in the absence of extermination depend on specific competitive advantages related to the width of food spectrum. We conclude that the dynamics of this insular community prior to the establishment of nature reserve on the island have been determined by human activities, as well as the structure of arctic herbivore communities in general.     

Impact of urban anthropogenic pollution on seed production,morphological and biochemical characteristics of chamomile,Matricaria chamomila L.

It has been shown that the growth of technogenic dust pollution is accompanied by the accumulation of heavy metals in soil and plant phytomass, compared to the control, and that the morphometric and reproductive characteristics of Matricaria chamomila are most sensitive to the impact of these pollutants. The response of plants is manifested in increased variation in morphological characters, mobilization of compensatory protective biochemical mechanisms, and production of more viable seed progeny.