Computational insights into diverse aspects of glutathione S-transferase gene family in Papaver somniferum.

Plant glutathione S-transferases are an ancient protein superfamily having antioxidant activity. These proteins are primarily involved in diverse plant functions such as plant growth and development, secondary metabolism, signaling pathways and defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. The current study aimed to comprehensively identify and characterize the GST gene family in the medicinally important crop Papaver somniferum. A total of 93 GST proteins were identified belonging to eight GST classes and found to be majorly localized in the cytoplasm. All GST genes were found on eleven opium chromosomes. Gene duplication analysis showed segmental duplication as a key factor for opium GST gene family expansion under strong purifying selection. Phylogenetic analysis with gymnosperm, angiosperm and bryophyte revealed the evolution of GSTs earlier than their division into separate groups and also prior to the divergence of monocot and dicot. The secondary structure prediction showed the dominance of α-helices indicative of PsomGSTs as structurally stable and elastic proteins. Gene architecture showed the conservation of number of exons across the classes. MEME analysis revealed only a few class specific and many across class conserved motifs. Ser was found to be the active site residue of tau, phi, theta and zeta class and Cys was catalytic residue of DHAR, lambda and GHR class. Promoter analyses identified many cis-acting regulatory elements related to hormonal, cellular, stress and light response functions. Ser was the key phosphorylation site. Only three glycosylation sites were found across the 93 PsomGSTs. 3D structure prediction was also performed and was validated. Interactome analyses revealed the correlation of PsomGSTs with glutathione metabolizing proteins. Gene enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analyzed the involvement of PsomGSTs in three major pathways i.e. glutathione metabolism, tyrosine metabolism and ascorbate metabolism. The outcome revealed high model quality of PsomGSTs. The results of the current study will be of potential significance to understand the functional and structural importance of the GST gene family in opium, a medicinally important crop.

Effects of Homeopathic Preparations of Mercurius corrosivus on the Growth Rate of Moderately Mercury-Stressed Duckweed Lemna gibba L.

BACKGROUND: A bioassay with severely mercury-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) had revealed growth-inhibiting effects of homeopathically potentised mercury(II) chloride (Mercurius corrosivus, Merc-c.). We hypothesised that effects of potentised preparations are dependent on the stress level of the organisms used in the bioassay. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the response of duckweed to potentised Merc-c. at a lower stress level. METHODS: Duckweed was moderately stressed with 2.5 mg/L mercury(II) chloride for 48 hours. Afterwards plants grew in either Merc-c. (seven different potency levels, 24x-30x) or water controls (unsuccussed or succussed water) for 7 days. Growth rates of the frond (leaf) area were determined using a computerised image-analysis system for day 0-3 and 3-7. Three independent experiments with potentised Merc-c. and three systematic negative control experiments were performed. All experiments were randomised and blinded. RESULTS: Unsuccussed and succussed water did not significantly differ in their effects on duckweed growth rate. The systematic negative control experiments did not yield any significant effects, thus providing evidence for the stability of the experimental system. Data from the two control groups and the seven treatment groups (Merc-c. 24x-30x) were each pooled to increase statistical power. Duckweed growth rates for day 3-7 were enhanced (p < 0.05) after application of Merc-c. compared with the controls. Growth rates for day 0-3 were not influenced by the homeopathic preparations. CONCLUSIONS: Moderately mercury-stressed Lemna gibba L. yielded evidence of growth-enhancing specific effects of Merc-c. 24x-30x in the second observation period (day 3-7). This observation is complementary to previous experiments with severely mercury-stressed duckweed, in which a decrease in growth was observed in the first observation period (day 0-3). We hypothesise that the differing results are associated with the level of stress intensity (moderate vs. severe).

Improved UAV Opium Poppy Detection Using an Updated YOLOv3 Model.

Rapid detection of illicit opium poppy plants using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) imagery has become an important means to prevent and combat crimes related to drug cultivation. However, current methods rely on time-consuming visual image interpretation. Here, the You Only Look Once version 3 (YOLOv3) network structure was used to assess the influence that different backbone networks have on the average precision and detection speed of an UAV-derived dataset of poppy imagery, with MobileNetv2 (MN) selected as the most suitable backbone network. A Spatial Pyramid Pooling (SPP) unit was introduced and Generalized Intersection over Union (GIoU) was used to calculate the coordinate loss. The resulting SPP-GIoU-YOLOv3-MN model improved the average precision by 1.62% (from 94.75% to 96.37%) without decreasing speed and achieved an average precision of 96.37%, with a detection speed of 29 FPS using an RTX 2080Ti platform. The sliding window method was used for detection in complete UAV images, which took approximately 2.2 sec/image, approximately 10× faster than visual interpretation. The proposed technique significantly improved the efficiency of poppy detection in UAV images while also maintaining a high detection accuracy. The proposed method is thus suitable for the rapid detection of illicit opium poppy cultivation in residential areas and farmland where UAVs with ordinary visible light cameras can be operated at low altitudes (relative height < 200 m).

A review of three simple plant models and corresponding statistical tools for basic research in homeopathy.

In this paper, we review three simple plant models (wheat seed germination, wheat seedling growth, and infected tobacco plants) that we set up during a series of experiments carried out from 1991 to 2009 in order to study the effects of homeopathic treatments. We will also describe the set of statistical tools applied in the different models. The homeopathic treatment used in our experiments was arsenic trioxide (As2O3) diluted in a decimal scale and dynamized. Since the most significant results were achieved with the 45th decimal potency, both for As2O3 (As 45x) and water (W 45x), we here report a brief summary of these results. The statistical analysis was performed by using parametric and nonparametric tests, and Poisson distribution had an essential role when dealing with germination experiments. Finally, we will describe some results related to the changes in variability, which seems to be one of the targets of homeopathic treatment effect.

Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: a critical review.

BACKGROUND: The literature on the applications of homeopathy for controlling plant diseases in both plant pathological models and field trials was first reviewed by Scofield in 1984. No other review on homeopathy in plant pathology has been published since, though much new research has subsequently been carried out using more advanced methods. OBJECTIVES: To conduct an up-to-date review of the existing literature on basic research in homeopathy using phytopathological models and experiments in the field. METHODS: A literature search was carried out on publications from 1969 to 2009, for papers that reported experiments on homeopathy using phytopathological models (in vitro and in planta) and field trials. The selected papers were summarized and analysed on the basis of a Manuscript Information Score (MIS) to identify those that provided sufficient information for proper interpretation (MIS>or=5). These were then evaluated using a Study Methods Evaluation Procedure (SMEP). RESULTS: A total of 44 publications on phytopathological models were identified: 19 papers with statistics, 6 studies with MIS>or=5. Publications on field were 9, 6 with MIS>or=5. In general, significant and reproducible effects with decimal and centesimal potencies were found, including dilution levels beyond the Avogadro's number. CONCLUSIONS: The prospects for homeopathic treatments in agriculture are promising, but much more experimentation is needed, especially at a field level, and on potentisation techniques, effective potency levels and conditions for reproducibility. Phytopathological models may also develop into useful tools to answer pharmaceutical questions.

Efectos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre las plantas: revisión de la literatura / Effects of high homeopathic dilutions on plants: a review of the literature

Entre los supuestos no convencionales de la homeopatía, el uso de medicamentos en diluciones altas (HD, por sus siglas en inglés) es una causa de objeciones y escepticismo entre la comunidad científica, formada dentro del paradigma de la dependencia de la dosis de la farmacología clásica. La investigación que busca evidenciar los efectos de las HD homeopáticas recurre a varios modelos experimentales (in vitro, plantas y animales). Objetivo: Describir los resultados de estudios con alta calidad metodológica que han demostrado los efectos positivos de las HD homeopáticas sobre las plantas. Métodos: Tomando como fuente de referencia las revisiones publicadas hasta 2015, actualizamos la información añadiendo datos de estudios recientes incluidos en la base de datos PubMed. Resultados: De los 167 estudios experimentales analizados, 48 cumplieron los criterios mínimos de calidad metodológica, de los cuales 29 detectaron efectos específicos de las diluciones homeopáticas altas sobre las plantas mediante la comparación con controles adecuados. Conclusiones: A pesar de que la mayor parte de los experimentos presentaba una calidad metodológica por debajo del estándar, los estudios que emplearon sistemáticamente reproducibilidad y controles negativos demostraron indiscutibles efectos significativos de las HD homeopáticas sobre las plantas.

Among the non-conventional assumptions of homeopathy, the use of medicines in high dilutions (HD) is a cause for objections and skepticism among the scientific community, trained within the dose-dependency paradigm of classic pharmacology. Research aiming at evidencing the effects of homeopathic HD has resource to several experimental models (in vitro, plants and animals). Aim: To describe the results of studies with high methodological quality that demonstrated positive effects of homeopathic HD on plants. Methods: Taking reviews published until 2015 as reference source, we updated the information through addition of data from recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: From 167 experimental studies analyzed, 48 met the minimum criteria of methodological quality, from which 29 detected specific effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants through comparison to adequate controls. Conclusions: Despite the substandard methodological quality of most experiments, studies with systematic use of negative controls and reproducibility demonstrated significant indisputable effects of homeopathic HD on plants.

Dietary factors and esophageal cancer in the Caspian Littoral of Iran.

A study was undertaken to attempt to relate the distribution of exogenous factors to the varying incidences of esophageal cancer in the Caspian Littoral of Iran. For the study, 38 villages were chosen by random sampling in 14 regions defined by their esophageal cancer incidence and environmental characteristics. Information was obtained on the dietary, social, and cultural features of each village. In addition, an extensive 5-day study of 6 randomly selected households in each of the 38 villages was conducted. The study consisted of measured dietary intake, a historical food consumption questionnaire, and clinical examinations of adult occupants. Preliminary results show no single factor responsible for the etiology of esophageal cancer. However, there were some major dietary differences between the regions of different esophageal cancer risk. Bread was the chief staple food in high-incidence areas; rice, in low-incidence areas. In high-incidence areas, there was a low intake of vitamins A and C, riboflavin, animal protein, and fresh vegetables and fruit, but a greater consumption of sheeps and goat's milk. Analyses of food samples for aflatoxins, polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrosamines showed low levels of these carcinogens in areas of high and low incidences. The use of tobacco and alcohol was not found to be of significance.

Mammalian opiate alkaloid synthesis: lessons derived from plant biochemistry.

The presence of opiate receptors in mammalian tissues has stimulated the search for endogenous ligands to these receptors and has led to the discovery and characterization of endogenous opioid peptides. However, recent studies have provided evidence for the presence of opiate alkaloids in mammalian tissues and for their endogenous synthesis. The study of their origin and synthetic pathway has been significantly influenced by the early classical biochemical studies performed in plants. This review is a historical account of the use and abuse of opiates, the elucidation of morphine's synthetic pathway in the poppy plant, and the subsequent characterization of its presence in mammalian tissues. Clearly, our understanding of its synthetic pathway and regulation is a reflection of observations originally made in plant biochemistry.

The discovery of alkaloids.

This paper presents the history of the discovery of the first alkaloids. Isolation of alkaloids is connected with the study of the active principles of medicines of plant origin, for example opium and cinchona bark. Sertürner described morphine as a plant alkali and claimed that it was capable of neutralizing free acids yielding salts. The recognition of alkaloids as a new class of compounds was an important step at that time because of the dogmatic denial of the possible existence of plant bases. Isolation of alkaloids is a significant event from the point of view of chemistry, physiology and medicine. The discovery caused essential conceptual changes in chemistry. Priority claims with reference to the discovery of the alkaloids are also reviewed.

Effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants: literature review

BACKGROUND: Among the non-conventional assumptions of homeopathy, the use of medicines in high dilutions (HD) is a cause for objections and skepticism among the scientific community, trained within the dose-dependency paradigm of classic pharmacology. Research aiming at evidencing the effects of homeopathic HD has resource to several experimental models (in vitro, plants and animals). AIM: To describe the results of studies with high methodological quality that demonstrated positiveeffects of homeopathic HD on plants. METHODS: Taking reviews published until 2015 as reference source, we updated the information through addition of data from recent studies included in database PubMed. RESULTS: From 167 experimental studies analyzed, 48 met the minimum criteria of methodological quality, from which 29 detected specific effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants through comparison to adequate controls. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the substandard methodological quality ofmost experiments, studies with systematic use of negative controls and reproducibility demonstrated significant indisputable effects of homeopathic HD on plants.

Effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants: literature review

Background: Among the non-conventional assumptions of homeopathy, the use of medicines in high dilutions (HD) is a cause for objections and skepticism among the scientific community, trained within the dose-dependency paradigm of classic pharmacology. Research aiming at evidencing the effects of homeopathic HD has resource to several experimental models (in vitro, plants and animals). Aim: To describe the results of studies with high methodological quality that demonstrated positiveeffects of homeopathic HD on plants. Methods: Taking reviews published until 2015 as reference source, we updated the information through addition of data from recent studies included in database PubMed. Results: From 167 experimental studies analyzed, 48 met the minimum criteria of methodological quality, from which 29 detected specific effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants through comparison to adequate controls. Conclusions: Despite the substandard methodological quality ofmost experiments, studies with systematic use of negative controls and reproducibility demonstrated significant indisputable effects of homeopathic HD on plants.(AU)

Efeito de ultradiluições homeopáticas em plantas: revisão da literatura / Effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants: literature review

Introdução: Dentre as premissas não convencionais do modelo homeopático, o emprego de doses ultradiluídas de medicamentos desperta questionamentos e ceticismo na classe científica, acostumada ao paradigma dose-dependente da farmacologia clássica. Para evidenciar o efeito das ultradiluições homeopáticas em seres vivos, pesquisas são realizadas em diversos modelos experimentais (in vitro, em plantas e em animais). Objetivo: Descrever os estudos de melhor qualidade metodológica que confirmaram o efeito positivo das ultradiluições homeopáticas em plantas. Métodos: Utilizando como fontes de referência as revisões sobre o tema publicadas até 2015, atualizamos os dados adicionando estudos recentes citados na base de dados PubMed. Resultados: Dentre 167 estudos experimentais analisados nas principais revisões, 48 atingiram os critérios mínimos de qualidade metodológica e 29identificaram os efeitos específicos das ultradiluições homeopáticas em plantas, empregando controles adequados. Conclusões: Apesar da qualidade metodológica insatisfatória da maioria dos experimentos, estudos com controle negativo sistemático e reprodutibilidade reportaram efeitos significativos e incontestáveis das ultradiluições homeopáticas em plantas. (AU)

When less is better: a comparison of Bach Flower Remedies and homeopathy.

PURPOSE: Homeopathy and Bach Flower Remedies (BFRs), historically-related complementary healing modalities classified as prescription/nonprescription drugs and over-the-counter homeopathic nutritional supplements, respectively, are compared with respect to indications, dosage philosophies, associated procedures, reported outcomes, safety profiles, and the possible operation of the placebo effect. METHODS: Original data and published research reports, including case studies, retrospective meta-analyses, and double-blind clinical trials are compiled and evaluated for both healing systems. RESULTS: Homeopathy and BFR therapy both feature highly diluted natural medicinal substances, flexible dosage schedules tailored to individual patients, and energy-based healing action. They differ with respect to practitioner training and certification, number and types of medicinal source materials, remedy combinations and applications, and potential toxicity or other side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive testing has produced mixed or equivocal results regarding the efficacy of both of these health care systems. While a variety of positive outcomes have been frequently recorded with Homoeopathy and BFR treatments, it is likely that the placebo effect operates to a significant extent in both approaches.

Effects of high dilutions of Cymbopogon winterianusJowitt (citronella) on the germination and growth ofseedlings of Sida rhombifolia / Efeitos de altas diluições de Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (citronella) na germinação e crescimento de sementes de Sida rhombifolia

The effects of high dilutions of Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella) on the growth and germination of Sida rhombifolia are analyzed; 5 homeopathic dilutions (3cH, 6cH, 12cH, 24cH, 30cH) and a control (water) were used, with 5 repetitions. Variables analyzed were the primary growth of the root system, length of the shoot, fresh mass total, germination percentage and germination speed index. All dilutions stimulated the primary growth of the root. Dilutions 3cH, 6cH, 12cH and cH stimulated the growth of the aerial parts and 24cH inhibited it. Dilutions 6cH, 12cH, 24cH and 30cH stimulated a larger production of fresh mass than 3cH. Dilution 12cH resulted in the largest germination percentage while 24cH in the lowest. Dilution 12cH resulted in the highest score in the germination speed index, while 3cH and 24cH in the lowest.

Os efeitos de altas diluições de Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella) no crescimento e germinação de Sida rhombifolia são analisados; 5 diluições homeopáticas (3cH, 6cH, 12cH, 24cH, 30cH) e um controle (água) foram utilizados, com 5 repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram: crescimento primário do sistema da raiz, longitude do broto, massa fresca total, porcentagem de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação. As diluições 3cH, 6cH, 12cH e 30cH estimularam o crescimento das partes aéreas, que foi inibido pela diluição 24cH. As diluições 6cH, 12cH e 30cH estimularam uma maior produção de massa fresca que a diluição 3cH. A diluição 12cH mostrou a porcentagem máxima de germinação, enquanto 24cH mostrou a mínima. Igualmente, a diluição 12cH resultou no máximo índice de velocidade de germinação, enquanto as diluições 3cH e 24cH, os mínimos.

Effects of high dilutions of Cymbopogon winterianusJowitt (citronella) on the germination and growth ofseedlings of Sida rhombifolia / Efeitos de altas diluições de Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt (citronella) na germinação e crescimento de sementes de Sida rhombifolia

The effects of high dilutions of Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella) on the growth andgermination of Sida rhombifolia are analyzed; 5 homeopathic dilutions (3cH, 6cH, 12cH, 24cH,30cH) and a control (water) were used, with 5 repetitions. Variables analyzed were the primarygrowth of the root system, length of the shoot, fresh mass total, germination percentage andgermination speed index. All dilutions stimulated the primary growth of the root. Dilutions 3cH,6cH, 12cH and cH stimulated the growth of the aerial parts and 24cH inhibited it. Dilutions 6cH,12cH, 24cH and 30cH stimulated a larger production of fresh mass than 3cH. Dilution 12cHresulted in the largest germination percentage while 24cH in the lowest. Dilution 12cH resultedin the highest score in the germination speed index, while 3cH and 24cH in the lowest.(AU)

Os efeitos de altas diluições de Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella) no crescimento e germinação de Sida rhombifolia são analisados; 5 diluições ho´meopáticas (3cH, 6cH, 12cH, 24cH, 30cH) e um controle (água) foram utilizados, com 5 repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram: crescimento primário do sistema da raiz, longitude do broto, massa fresca total, porcentagem de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação. As diluições 3cH, 6cH, 12cH e 30cH estimularam o crescimento das partes aéreas, que foi inibido pela diluição 24cH. As diluições 6cH, 12cH e 30cH estimularam uma maior produção de massa fresca que a diluição 3cH. A diluição 12cH mostrou a porcentagem máxima de germinação, enquanto 24cH mostrou a mínima. Igualmente, a diluição 12cH resultou no máximo índice de velocidade de germinação, enquanto as diluições 3cH e 24cH, os mínimos.(AU)

Resistência de genótipos de aboboreira a Bemisia tabaci (Genn) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) / Resistance of squash genotypes to Bemisia tabaci (Genn) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

O uso de cultivares resistentes para controle de mosca-branca integra-se de forma harmônica em programas de manejo integrado. Cultivares e linhagens de aboboreira com diferentes genealogias e características têm sido desenvolvidas e liberadas aos produtores por instituições privadas e oficiais. Pouco se sabe sobre a resistência ou suscetibilidade desse germoplasma a insetos. Assim, avaliaram-se em condições de casa de vegetação dezesseis genótipos de aboboreiras (Cucurbita spp.) disponíveis no mercado brasileiro em relação a Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B. O híbrido Golden Delight foi o mais atrativo aos adultos enquanto 'Menina Brasileira', 'Bárbara' e 'Atlas' apresentaram os menores números de adultos na superfície inferior das folhas. A oviposição foi avaliada em experimentos com e sem chance de escolha. 'Novita', 'Exposição' e 'Caserta' foram as cultivares com menor número de ovos, apresentando não preferência para oviposição como mecanismo de resistência. O ciclo de ovo a adulto foi avaliado em seis genótipos, incluindo-se os de melhor desempenho nos testes anteriores mais uma testemunha suscetível. Em 'Golden Delight', a duração desse ciclo foi a mais curta (24,9 dias) e a porcentagem de emergência de adultos a mais elevada (93,8 por cento), indicando ser um genótipo adequado ao desenvolvimento do inseto. Já 'Exposição' e 'Menina Brasileira' prolongaram esse ciclo (35,8 e 33,5 dias, respectivamente) e reduziram a emergência de adultos (46,3 e 58,1 por cento), mostrando-se resistentes.

Whitefly control using resistant cultivars can be considered the ideal option in integrated pest management programs. Squash cultivars and lines with different genealogies have been developed and released by private and public research institutions. However, little information is available about the resistance or susceptibility of those genotypes to insects. The main squash (Cucurbita spp.) cultivars available in the Brazilian market were evaluated as to Bemisia tabaci biotype B resistance, under greenhouse conditions. The cultivar 'Golden Delight' was the most attractive to adults, while 'Menina Brasileira', 'Bárbara' and 'Atlas' presented the lowest numbers of adults on the abaxial leaf surfaces. Oviposition was evaluated in free-choice and no-choice tests. 'Novita', 'Exposição' and 'Caserta' behaved as resistant and showed oviposition nonpreference as the resistance mechanism. The cycle from egg to adult emergence was determined in six genotypes. In 'Golden Delight', the duration of this cycle was the shortest one (24.9 days), and the percentage of adult emergence, the highest one (93.8 percent), thus indicating that this cultivar is suitable to the insect. On the other hand, 'Exposição' and 'Menina Brasileira' prolonged this cycle (35.8 and 33.5 days, respectively) and reduced the adult emergence (46.3 and 58.1 percent), showing to be resistant.

Identificación y virulencia de grupos de anastomosis de rhizoctonia solani Kühn asociados con papa en Mérida, Venezuela / Identification and virulence of anastomosis groups in rhizoctonia solani Kühn associated with potato in Mérida, Venezuela

En Venezuela la papa (Solanum tuberosum) tiene importancia económica particularmente en los estados andinos (Mérida, Táchira y Trujillo), cuya contribución a la producción nacional se aproxima al 80 por ciento. Desde hace cinco años, la enfermedad de rhizoctoniosis, causada por Rhizoctonia solani, se ha convertido en un importante factor limitante del cultivo. La presente investigación fue realizada para determinar la identidad y virulencia de los grupos de anastomosis (AGs) asociados con papa en doce localidades de Mérida y una de Trujillo. Ciento setenta y seis aislamientos, cuyas hifas y septos presentaron la morfología típica de los hongos del Complejo Rhizoctonia, fueron obtenidos de raíces, estolones, tallos, pecíolos y, principalmente, esclerocios sobre tubérculos. Ciento setenta y tres aislamientos fueron multinucleados y tres binucleados. Los multinucleados fueron reconocidops como cepas de R.solani. De las 173 cepas de R.solani, 163 pertenecieron al AG-3 y 10 al AG-2-1. Los AG-3 y AG-2-1 promediaron 9,5 y 8,3 núcleos/célula vegetativa, respectivamente. Los AG-3 fueron encontrados en 12 de las 13 localidasdes evaluadas y los AG-2-1 en tres. En una localidad (El Valle) únicamente se obtuvieron cepas AG-2-1. En Bailadores y Mucuchíes, cepas AG-3 y AG-2-1 fueron aisladas de plantas cultivadas en un mismo campo. En los AG-3 fueron más virulentos que los AG-2-1. La amplia diseminación y alta virulencia de los AG-3, indican que las cepas de este grupo son la principal causa de rhizoctoniosis en la papa cultivada en el estado Mérida y en Tuñame (Estado Trujillo)