Chemical, radiological and microbiological characterization of a drinking water source: a case study.

This study examined water samples from a local stream in Central Serbia, which was consumed as drinking water. The chemical parameters (chemical oxygen demand, COD; pH, total concentration of dissolved substances and electrical conductivity), the concentration of major, trace and radioactive elements in the water as well as the content of those from the environment, were examined. In addition, the microbiological quality of the water was inspected. The water samples were acidic (pH from 5·27-5·69) and COD ranged in upper permissible limits (up to 6·25 mg O2 l-1 [WR]). The concentrations of major, trace and radioactive elements, including radon, were below maximum contaminant levels. The water contained a higher number of total coliform bacteria (TCB) than it was allowed (˃10 colony-forming units (CFU) in 100 ml of water) as well as enterococci and Escherichia coli. The characterization of the isolated bacteria indicated that two isolates demonstrated proteolytic activity, while full antibiotic resistance was not detected. The isolates showed moderate to strong ability to produce biofilm, while the isolates of E. coli were nonpathogenic. The results indicated that examined water samples were not microbiologically and chemically safe, therefore, the usage of analysed water was not recommended as a water supply. Further research needs to include more frequent monitoring in order to propose measures for the improvement of the water quality and prevention of health risks for consumers.

Impulsivity and self-control in elementary school children and adult females: Using identical task and procedural parameters.

Results of studies examining the relationship between impulsivity and age are limited because different tasks, procedural parameters, and different reinforcers have been used with different aged participants. Thus, the current study sought to rectify these differences in two experiments with children (42, ages 5-12) and adults (69 college-aged females) using the same task with identical procedural parameters. In the Self-Control Video Software Task (SCVST; Forzano and Schunk, 2008; Forzano et al., 2014) participants repeatedly choose between larger, more delayed and smaller, less delayed access to viewing video cartoons. No differences in impulsivity were found between adults and children. No age or gender differences were found among children. Differences in task and procedural parameters are identified as important in their implications for research on impulsivity.

Mentha L. species (Lamiaceae) as promising sources of bioactive secondary metabolites.

The use of mint species in traditional and conventional medicine is mostly due to the presence of two classes of secondary bimolecules: monoterpenoids in essential oils and different structural types of phenolic compounds. Essential oils are known to act as antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, and antiviral agents. In addition, essential oils of several mint species have been recently qualified as natural antioxidants. However, since oil composition is highly variable, the pharmacological activity strongly depends on certain chemorace. On the contrary, composition of phenolic constituents is relatively stable within species. The most important phenolic compounds in Mentha species are flavonoids. Mints are characterized by the presence of specific lipophilic flavonoids. Phenolic compounds of mints are found to poses a wide range of pharmacological activity: antioxidant, antiulcer, cytoprotective, heptoprotective, cholagogue, chemopreventive, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetogenic etc. However, besides healing properties some mint species can exhibit an adverse effect on human health. Here we report on botany, chemistry and activity of Mentha species with special respect to their significance for the modern phytotherapy.

Neurophysiological effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) on isolated rat intestines.

Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) is well known as a medicine from ancient times and the earliest notes. Today it is used as a remedy. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of mistletoe extracts and their components on some neurophysiological parameters in rat intestines. The tonus and contractile responses of isolated intestinal segments (duodenum, ileum and distal colon) were analysed. The experiment was carried out in three groups. In the first group (control group) different concentrations of acetylcholine were added into the organ bath (10-50 nmol/L). In the second group, mistletoe extracts were added into the organ bath with increasing concentrations and in the third group, atropine, a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, was added into the organ bath (concentration 10(-7) mol/L) and after atropine plant extracts were administered. The results obtained suggest that extracts from different parts of mistletoe have neurophysiological effects and change intestinal contractions. The results also suggest that the effects of mistletoe extracts on intestinal contractility act via cholinergic pathways, activating muscarinic receptors in the intestines. However, in order to establish the subtype of receptors, further investigations are necessary where selective antagonists of muscarinic cholinergic receptors should be used.

First Report of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, Watermelon mosaic virus, and Cucumber mosaic virus in Bottlegourd (Lagenaria siceraria) in Serbia.

During a cucurbit disease survey in August 2004, severe symptoms resembling those caused by viruses were observed on bottlegourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.) in the Vojvodina region of Serbia. Symptoms included stunting, mosaic, green veinbanding, blistering, yellowing, chlorotic spots, leaf deformation, and fruit distortion. Leaf samples from 25 symptomatic plants were collected from two localities for virus identification using mechanical transmission and serological testing. Crude sap extract from leaf samples was mechanically inoculated onto bottlegourd and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) under greenhouse conditions. Field-collected bottlegourd and inoculated plants were tested using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (DAS-ELISA). Positive reactions were obtained on collected and inoculated plants with polyclonal antiserum (Loewe Biochemica, Sauerlach, Germany) to Zucchini yellow mosaic virus(ZYMV) in 23 samples, with antiserum to Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) in eight samples, and with antiserum to Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in seven samples. Each of the three viruses was detected in single as well as in mixed infections with the other two viruses. Biological characterization of viruses detected in single infections was done on the following indicator plants: Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo, Citrullus lanatus, Nicotiana glutinosa, and N. tabacum cv. Samsun. The symptoms observed on indicator plants for each isolate corresponded to the results of DAS-ELISA (2,3). All three viruses are known to be important pathogens of cucurbit plants and were previously reported in pumpkin in Serbia (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ZYMV, WMV, and CMV in bottlegourd in Serbia. References: (1) N. Dukic et al. J. Agric. Sci. 47:149, 2002. (2) D. E. Lesemann et al. Phytopathol. Z. 108:304, 1983. (3) H. Rahimian and K. Izadpanah. Phytopathol. Z. 92:305, 1978.

Free radical scavenging activity of Achillea alexandri-regis extracts.

The antioxidative potential of Achillea alexandri-regis has been studied by measuring the influence of herb extracts on hydroxyl and superoxide radicals' quantity in different in vitro systems. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited hydroxyl radical scavenging activity in all tested biological system (liver homogenate, hemolyzed blood, serum and postmitochondrial liver fraction), whereas butanol extract reduced hydroxyl radicals significantly only in the postmitochondrial liver fraction. Both extracts showed superoxide radical scavenging effect only in hemolyzed blood.

Sesquiterpene lactone mix patch testing supplemented with dandelion extract in patients with allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and non-allergic chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

We investigated the value of patch testing with dandelion (Compositae) extract in addition to sesquiterpene lactone (SL) mix in selected patients. After we detected a case of contact erythema multiforme after patch testing with dandelion and common chickweed (Caryophyllaceae), additional testing with common chickweed extract was performed. A total of 235 adults with a mean age of 52.3 years were tested. There were 66 men and 169 women: 53 consecutive patients with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD); 43 with atopic dermatitis (AD); 90 non-atopics suffering from non-allergic chronic inflammatory skin diseases; 49 healthy volunteers. All were tested with SL mix 0.1% petrolatum (pet.) and diethyl ether extracts from Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) 0.1 and 3.0% pet. and from Stellaria media (common chickweed) 0.1 and 3% pet. A total of 14 individuals (5.9%) showed allergic reaction (AR) to at least 1 of the plant allergens, 4 (28.6%) to common chickweed extract, and 11 (78.6%) to Compositae allergens. These 11 persons made the overall prevalence of 4.7%: 8 (3.4%) were SL-positive and 3 (1.3%) reacted to dandelion extract. 5 persons (45.5%) had AD, 2 had ACD, 2 had psoriasis and 2 were healthy controls. The Compositae allergy was relevant in 8 cases (72.7%). The highest frequency of SL mix sensitivity (9.3%) was among those with AD. Half the SL mix-sensitive individuals had AD. ARs to dandelion extract were obtained only among patients with eczema. A total of 9 irritant reactions (IRs) in 9 individuals (3.8%) were recorded, 8 to SL mix and 1 to common chickweed extract 3.0% pet. No IR was recorded to dandelion extract (P = 0.007). Among those with relevant Compositae allergy, 50.0% had AR to fragrance mix and balsam of Peru (Myroxylon pereirae resin) and colophonium. SLs were detected in dandelion but not in common chickweed. Our study confirmed the importance of 1 positive reaction for emerging, not fully established, Compositae allergy. In conclusion, the overall prevalence of 4.7% in our study represents a basal SL mix detection rate of 3.4% reinforced and safely supplemented by testing with the dandelion extract.

Chemical analysis and antifungal activity of Thymus striatus.

The essential oil composition from Thymus striatus collected from Mountain Orjen (Montenegro) has been investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thymol, gamma-terpinene and p-cymene were found to be the major components. Furthermore, the oil and its major component, thymol, were analysed for potential antifungal activity against plant, animal and human pathogenic fungi from different genera by a macrodilution test. The oil exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against all fungi investigated.

Essential oil composition and antifungal activity of Foeniculum vulgare Mill obtained by different distillation conditions.

The influence of different hydrodistillation conditions was evaluated from the standpoint of essential oil yield, chemical composition and antifungal activity from seeds of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Three hydrodistillation conditions were considered. The main constituents of the oils were: (E)-anethole (72.27%-74.18%), fenchone (11.32%-16.35%) and methyl chavicol (3.78%-5.29%). The method of distillation significantly effected the essential oil yield and quantitative composition, although the antifungal activity of the oils against some fungi was only slightly altered.

Erythema multiforme due to contact with weeds: a recurrence after patch testing.

Erythema multiforme (EM) as a complication of patch testing (PT) is rare. A 52-year-old woman with a 13-year history of episodes of EM, after contact with weeds during home gardening, had had no recent history of herpes simplex, other infection, drug ingestion or vaccination. On examination, EM lesions were distributed on the exposed skin. 5 weeks after complete resolution, PT and photopatch testing (PPT) were done with fresh plants she brought in. She was PT with a standard series and the Hermal-Trolab plants, woods, tars, balsams and flavors series. Intradermal testing, with a 3 + reaction to mixed weed pollens, was done 3 weeks later. Specific IgE to weed pollens class 1 (CAP-Pharmacia) was detected. Eczematous PT reactions were obtained with fresh leaves: common chickweed (Stellaria media Caryophyllaceae), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Compositae), field-milk thistle (Sonchus arvensis Compositae) and white clover (Trifolium repens Leguminosae). Photoaggravation was seen to common chickweed and dandelion. Positive PT was also seen with alantolactone. By the 4-day reading, a typical EM had commenced, coming up to quite the same extent as seen on admission. There was no photosensitivity (UV skin tester, K. Waldmann). In the essential oil obtained from common chickweed, thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealed the well-known contact allergens borneol, menthol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, and other terpenes such as epoxy-dehydro-caryophyllene, monoterpene alcohol-ester and caryophyllene. Up to now, no data on essential oil in Stellaria media (common chickweed) have been reported. It can be concluded that EM developed due to contact with weeds, and recurred after patch testing. Neither blistering nor eczematous lesions have been seen on her skin, making this case very unusual. As far as the world literature is concerned, this is only the 4th report of EM developing in association with patch testing.

First Report of an Elm Yellows Subgroup 16SrV-C Phytoplasma Infecting Grapevine in Serbia.

During a 2002 survey in Serbia, samples of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) were collected from plants showing typical phytoplasma-like symptoms: leaf roll, leaf redness, vein chlorosis and necrosis, and absence of lignification. The material was collected from one viticultural region (Zupa Aleksandrovac), where the disease was recorded in 2000 and showed an increasing percentage of symptomatic plants every year. Total nucleic acid was extracted separately from leaf midveins and stem bark collected from 10 symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic plants. Phytoplasma infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays with universal primer pair P1/P7 for the amplification of phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene, and primer pair FD9f2/FD9r followed by FD9f3/FD9r2 in nested PCR for specific amplification of the FD9 nonribosomal DNA fragment of the EY-group (1). Phytoplasmas were detected in 9 of 10 midvein extracts from symptomatic grapevines (three of cv. Plovdina, two of cv. Smederevka, and four of cv. Gamé). Also, 6 of 10 bark preparations representing stem collections from the same plants were positive (two samples of cv. Plovdina, both samples of cv. Smederevka, and two samples of cv. Gamé). Both collections of midveins and bark tissues from asymptomatic plants were negative. Fragments amplified with universal P1/P7 primers (16S-23S rDNA) were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism with TruI and TaqI restriction enzymes. The phytoplasmas produced identical restriction profiles to those of 16SrV Elm Yellows group and 16SrV-C Flavescence doreé subgroup (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of phytoplasma infecting grapevines in Serbia, and the first survey in progress to verify the presence of Scaphoideus titanus to determine if this grapevine yellows could be defined as Flavescence dorée. References: (1) E. Angelini et al. Vitis 40:79, 2001. (2) M. Martini et al. Mol. Cell. Probes 16:197, 2002.

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) and kindling epilepsy in rabbit.

Effects of different extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. on the kindling epileptic discharges were analyzed. The experiment was carried out on Chinchilla rabbits with chronically implanted electrodes in cortical structures and hippocampus. In our study we used water, n-butanol and ether fractions (mass concentrations 0.1 g/ml) of crude ethanol extract of Hypericum perforatum. The particular extracts were given intramuscularly in single dose of 1 ml/kg BW. The bioelectric activity was registered before and after applications of each extracts. The obtained results show that the effect depends on the constituents present in particular fractions. The repression of epileptic activity was in correlation with the polarity of plant constituents. Most polar constituents that remained in water fraction exerted highest antiepileptic activity in all (100%) animals tested. Substances present in butanol fraction repressed the epileptic manifestations in 40% of animals with kindling epilepsy, whereas lipid-soluble constituents in ether fraction potentated the epileptic activity.

Pharmacodynamic study of Hypericum perforatum L.

The effects of Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae) crude ethanol extract (A), ethyl acetate extract (B), aqueous extract (C) and infusion (I), on pentobarbital induced sleeping time, intestinal motility, and their analgesic activity, have been investigated. Extracts A and B exhibited significant stimulatory and antidepressant effects on the CNS. Both extracts prolonged sleep, increasing time up to more than 25 min. The antidepressive activity of extract A was also achieved by significant reduction of the myorelaxant activity of diazepam. Extract B exhibited strong analgesic activity reducing abdominal stretching induced by acetic acid by nearly 50 %. Extracts A, B and C exhibited spasmolytic activity, significantly reducing intestine motility.