Diets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. The effects of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on various serum parameters and renal histology were investigated on hyperuricaemic rats. Male Wistar rats administered with oxonic acid and UA to induce hyperuricaemia were fed with casein or soya protein plus palm- or saf...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced during seed desiccation, germination, and ageing, leading to cellular damage and seed deterioration and, therefore, decreased seed longevity. The effects of simultaneous over-expression of two antioxidant enzymes on seed longevity and seed germination under stressful conditions were investigated. Transgenic tobacco simultaneously over-expressing the Cu...

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of red grape seed extracts (GSEs) against oxidative damage on DNA, brain and erythrocytes in vitro. In this study, the protective effects of two GSEs (water and ethanol) on free radical mediated DNA-sugar damage, Fe -induced lipid peroxidation in brain and 2+ H O induced hemolysis and lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes were determined...

Quantifying seed viability is required for seed bank maintenance. The classical methods for detecting seed viability are time consuming and frequently cause seed damage and unwanted germination. We have established a novel micro-optrode technique (MOT) to measure seed viability in a quick and non-invasive manner by measuring the oxygen influxes of intact seeds, approximately 10 seconds to scree...

Insect floral herbivory can dramatically reduce plant reproductive success. Thus, plants should have evolved mechanisms that minimize the effect of insect herbivores, particularly in monocarpic species that must maximize fitness in a single flowering year. Tolerance is one such mechanism; however, few experiments to date evaluate underlying mechanisms of plant tolerance under natural conditions...

Background: The alkylating agent busulfan adversely affects spermatogenesis in mammals and Impairment of spermatogenesis has been identified as an inevitable side effect of cancer treatment druges then the aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of Grape seed extract with potent antioxidant activity, on busulfan-treated adult male mice. Materials and Methods: In thi...

Objective: Ageing of the stored seed is a natural phenomenon and the seeds tend to lose viability even under ideal storage conditions. Accelerated ageing has been recognized as a good predictor of the storability of seed lots. Aged seeds show decreased vigor and produce weak seedlings that are unable to survive once reintroduced into a habitat. The characteristics of the chemical composition of...

Objective: Ageing of the stored seed is a natural phenomenon and the seeds tend to lose viability even under ideal storage conditions. Accelerated ageing has been recognized as a good predictor of the storability of seed lots. Aged seeds show decreased vigor and produce weak seedlings that are unable to survive once reintroduced into a habitat. The characteristics of the chemical composition of...

It was evaluated the damage caused by Bruchus pisorum on the germination ability of pea forage cultivars. Result of damage in seeds with parasitized larva was a significant decrease of the germination by 16.4% percentage points, the length and weight of primary radicle by 16.8 and 24.5%, the length and weight of plumule by 12.3 and 14.1%, the vigor index of primary radicle and plumule by 32.5 a...

Seed ageing is influenced by two environmental factors, RH and temperature. The deterioration of the stored seed is a natural phenomenon and the seeds tend to lose viability even under ideal storage conditions . Autooxidation of lipids and increase in the content of free fatty acids during storage period are the main reasons for rapid deterioration of seed of oil plants. Accelerated ageing has ...