Electromagnetic field pretreatment of Sinapis alba seeds improved cadmium phytoextraction.

It was hypothesized that electromagnetic field (EMF) pretreatment of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seeds could increase the accumulation of non-essential, pollutant heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) in shoots. Seeds of white mustard were treated with either 60 or 120 mT of alternating EMF (50 Hz) for 1 minute and then grown in a Petri dish in the presence of Cd, in comparison to the control (seeds grown without EMF pretreatment). Biomass production and content of calcium (Ca) and Cd in seedling shoots were measured. The Cd content in shoots from the EMF-treated seeds was higher in both variants than in the control (by 73% and 78%, respectively; p < 0.05). In plants treated with 60 mT, the Ca content was slightly, but significantly, lower (3%) than in the control. EMF stimulation did not affect the biomass production. The results have shown potential benefits of this physical seed pretreatment method in the context of cadmium phytoextraction, but more research is needed.

[Evaluation of the morphology of the human placental cotyledon following dual in vitro perfusion in variable magnetic field]. / Ocena morfologii zrazika lozyska ludzkiego poddanego dwustronnej perfuzji in vitro w warunkach zmiennego pola magnetycznego.

UNLABELLED: Objectives and the aim of the study was electron-microscopy morphological estimation of the human placental cotyledon after 180 minutes of dual closed perfusion in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the experimental group the cotyledons were exposed to variable magnetic field of 2 mT magnetic induction and 50 Hz frequency. The control group K (10 perfusions) was not subjected to magnetic field while the experimental group B (10 perfusions) was influenced by magnetic field. RESULTS: It was found that homogeneous variable magnetic field disturbs the ultrastructure of the nuclei and cytoplasma and it increases the density of the vascular-epithelial membrane of villi cells of human placenta in vitro. CONCLUSION: Variable sinusoildal, magnetic field of 2 mT magnetic induction and 50 Hz frequency disturbs the ultrastructure of the nuclei and cytoplasma and it increases the density of the vascular-epithelial membrane of villi cells of human placenta in vitro after 180 minutes of dual closed perfusion in vitro.

[Oxygen transfer and consumption in human placenta exposed to variable magnetic fields in vitro]. / Transfer i zuzycie tlenu w lozysku ludzkim in vitro w warunkach oddzialywania zmiennego pola magnetycznego.

The initial investigations concerning the influence of variable magnetic fields (MF) on transfer and oxygen consumption in isolated human cotyledon in vitro were performed. Ten dual closed perfusion of the human cotyledon were conducted in each group. The control group was not exposed to magnetic fields. In studied groups cotyledons were exposed to magnetic field: in the group B1 (B = 2 mT, f = 50 Hz), and in the group B2 (B = 5 mT, f = 50 Hz) for 180 min. Obtained results may suggest that variable magnetic field (B = 5 mT, f = 50 Hz) cause decrease of oxygen consumption in human placenta in 120 and 150 min of experiment.