Biologija

Title

Sat, 04 May 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Graphical biplot assessment of pre-sowing procedures on the seeds of Dracocephalum moldavica L. employing diverse nanoparticles

Naser Sabaghnia, Mohsen Janmohammadi, Saeed Yousefzadeh — Sat, 04 May 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Dracocephalum moldavica L., the Moldavian dragonhead, has found its place in folk medicine and has been used to address kidney complaints. Pre-hydration methodologies were administered to dragonhead seeds utilising nano-silicon dioxide at three concentrations: Si1 0 mM as control, Si2 and Si3, 1 and 2 mM, respectively. Concurrently, treatments with nanoparticles of Fe in oxide form encompassed: Fe1 0 mM as control, Fe2 and Fe3, 1 and 2 mM, respectively. A range of parameters, including the germination percentage, weight (fresh and dry) and length of roots and shoots, seed residue dry weight, and root and shoot dry weights were meticulously gauged. The utilisation of the treatment-by-trait biplot facilitated the visualisation of interrelationships of traits and treatments, with the initial two principal components elucidating 80% of the observed variation. The majority of the traits are located in a specific sector of graph with Si2-Fe3 as the optimal pre-hydration treatment. The ideal treatment for eliciting elevated seed germination properties was detected as Si2-Fe3 (1 mM nano-silicon dioxide and 2 mM of Fe oxide nanoparticles) through the ideal entry biplot. Our findings strongly suggest that priming with silicon and Fe in form of nanoparticles holds the potential to expedite both germination and seedling growth in D. moldavica L. In summary, the text emphasises the potential benefits of nanoparticle technology in agriculture, underscores the importance of precise experimental optimisation, highlights the objectivity of the biplot, and suggests promising strategies for seed priming in the cultivation of the Moldavian dragonhead.

Utilisation of biotic and abiotic components in the ecological assessment of the Ossiomo River, Edo State, Nigeria

Ekene Biose, Nkonyeasua Kingsley Egun, David Dauda Yusuf — Sat, 04 May 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Fish (Gymnarchus niloticus) and sediment samples were used as bioindicators of heavy metal contamination in the ecological assessment of the Ossiomo River. These samples were collected monthly (August 2021 to January 2022) and analysed for heavy metal content using standard methods. Results from this study showed that both the sediment and fish were contaminated with heavy metals. Heavy metal concentration profile of Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd was observed in the sediment. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for heavy metals in G. niloticus were > 1, with an order of Cd > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Fe > Pb (gills); Cu > Cd > Zn > Cr > Mn > Fe > Pb (liver), and Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Fe > Cd > Pb (muscles). The pollution load index (PLI) values across the three study stations indicate that there is heavy metal pollution of the sediment (PLI > 1). Potential ecological risk index (PERI) assessment showed that stations 1 and 3 exhibited considerable ecological risk (300 < RI ≤ 600), while station 2 indicated a very high ecological risk (RI > 600). There is a need for periodic water quality assessment and monitoring of human and industrial
activities within the Ossiomo River catchment area in order to forestall further deposition of more pollutants into the river and protect public health.

Identification of antibodies against Toxocara canis among the members of community X

Giedrė Jarienė, Loreta Dunderienė, Rugilė Antanavičiūtė, Asta Aleksandravičienė — Sat, 04 May 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of toxocariasis among the members of community X with and without dogs and its association with lifestyle factors. The sample size was 88 individuals: 44 who owned dogs and 44 who did not. The ages of the subjects ranged from 18 to 72 years. The prevalence of toxocariasis in community X was 12.5%, with 11 of the 88 individuals having IgG antibodies against Toxocara canis. Factors such as outdoor and indoor dog ownership were statistically significantly associated with the prevalence of toxocariasis (p < 0.05). The prevalence of toxocariasis was observed in different age groups. The youngest person to have antibodies against toxocariasis was 20 years old, while the oldest was 68 years old. The highest percentage of infected people was observed in the age group of 62–72 years.

Recent doctoral theses (biochemistry, biology, biophysics, ecology and environmental, zoology) in Lithuania

Indrė Lipatova — Sat, 04 May 2024 00:00:00 +0300