Volume 34, No. 2 (2025)

CHANGES IN TOTAL POLYPHENOLS, FLAVONOIDS, PHOTORESPIRATION, RESPIRATION AND GLYCOLATE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN MAIZE PLANTS GERMINATED FROM SEEDS EXPOSED TO FREEZING STRESS

Maria CAUS*, Nicolai PLATOVSCHII

The aim of this study was to investigate the post-freezing effect of -4°C for 16 h (FS) applied to soaked maize seeds before germination on the levels of total polyphenols (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC), photorespiration, total respiration and dark respiration, glycolate oxidase (GO) activity in maize plants grown under dark and light conditions. Exposure of maize seeds to subzero temperatures before germination followed by growth in the dark or in the light revealed after-effects of these factors on both TPC and TFC. The greatest inhibition of TPC by FS was achieved in etiolated sprouts (≈10%) and in 6-day-old plants in the light (≈9%), while the lowest level of TPC was observed in leaves of 8- and 17-day-old plants under light conditions. Photorespiration, total respiration, dark respiration, and glycolate oxidase activity in maize plants grown from seeds exposed to FS remained at reduced levels than in control samples. The suppression of these indices, apparently, in this case may be associated with a slowdown in the intensity of photosynthetic gas exchange in general.

MODULATION OF THE MITOSIS PROCESS IN THE ROOT APEX CELLS OF CARUM CARVI L. AFTER CAFFEINE TREATMENT

Gabriela VOCHITA1, Elena MAXIM2, Diana-Elena MAFTEI3*

The present study, focused on investigating the effect induced by treatment with caffeine in different concentrations, applied for 6 and 12 hours respectively, highlights the response of cells from the root meristem of caraway (Carum carvi L.) at the level of mitosis process. To achieve the proposed objectives, the following indicators were evaluated: mitotic index, frequency of mitotic division phases, as well as the frequency of division aberrations. Thus, the application of caffeine treatment induced a decrease of division cells frequency, in general, proportional to the increase in concentration and the extension of the duration of seeds exposure to the tested alkaloid, so that at maximum dose and 12 hours of treatment, cell division was blocked. Furthermore, the genotoxic effect of caffeine is evidenced by the increase of chromosomal aberrations frequency, this parameter being almost 4 times higher than the Control variant.

MONOCOTYLEDONS WITH ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL VALUE IN ROMANIA (II)

Milian GURĂU*

The analyzed plant groups include numerous species with various economic and ecological roles. The Asparagaceae family includes 25 useful species, predominantly ornamental, but also with cosmetic, medicinal, culinary, or honey-producing uses. Seven species are toxic, many of which have been studied for medicinal purposes. The Asphodelaceae family is represented by a single rare species. The Juncaceae family includes 14 species with few economic uses but important for ecology (phytoremediation, restoration, bioindicators, soil protection). The Juncaginaceae family has two toxic species, used ecologically for soil cover and phytoremediation. The Lemnaceae family includes 5 species with important roles in the ecological and rural economy, one of which is vulnerable. The Liliaceae family includes 14 ornamental species, most of which are endangered in their natural habitat. The Melanthyaceae family contains three highly toxic species. The Najadaceae family has two aquatic species that are not used by Romanians. The Orchidaceae family is relatively diverse, but most species are endangered. The Potamogetonaceae family includes 11 species, important for phytoremediation and bioindication of environmental quality. The families Ruppiaceae, Sparganiaceae, Zannichelliaceae, and Zosteraceae each include 1–2 species used mainly for ecological restoration or phytoremediation. Scheuchzeriaceae has only one toxic species. The family Tofieldiaceae includes one species with ornamental value. The Typhaceae family includes 5 species whose uses have been partially abandoned. Overall, the families presented include species with a wide variety of uses—ornamental, medicinal, culinary, ecological—but also with varying degrees of vulnerability, many of which are already threatened and require conservation measures.

IMPAIRMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN THE CONTEXT OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION

Daniela TIȚĂ1, Tatiana CIUREA2, Ionut STOICA3*, Dumitra RĂDUCANU3*, Ștefania-Bianca CĂPUȘĂ4, Diana Ioana TIȚĂ5

The mechanisms involved in the renal injury during liver disease are primarily by immune causes, by circulating immune complexes that are deposited at the level of the glomerular basal membrane, as well as by metabolic, toxic and infectious causes. Knowing and understanding the possible association of nephropathies with liver disease may be a possibility of preventing nephropathies with evolution towards acute or chronic renal failure. In the case of hepatitis C infection, renal impairment is one of the most important extrahepatic manifestations.

THE RESISTANCE TO QUINOLONES OF SOME ENTEROBACTERIACEAE STRAINS ISOLATED FROM THE URINARY TRACT

Cristina PERDIVARĂ1, Dumitra RĂDUCANU1*, Daniela TIȚĂ2, Diana-Elena MAFTEI1, Ionuț STOICA1

The pathogenic microorganisms related to the UTIs etiology frequently belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family. This present study aims the following: to determine the Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the urinary cultures, displaying the most common species, such as: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Proteus spp.; to test the biochemical and culture medium-related characteristics by means of some multi-test medium variants (TSI, MIU, Simmons Citrate) and of the API 20 E kit (Biomerieux) to identify the species; to correlate the microbiological data with the clinical factors. The survey on the distribution and number of UTIs from Moldavia region (Romania) during the analyzed period of time pointed out a rather good health state in the human population based on the pathogens’ frequency and the resistance patterns.

FERNS AND CONIFERS OF ECONOMIC VALUE IN ROMANIA

Milian GURĂU*

This summary lists the uses and categories of use for 57 species of ferns and 11 species of conifers. The economic value of conifers cannot be compared to that of ferns, but the ecological importance of both categories is high and cannot be assessed financially. Few ferns are used in this territory, but in the literature, we found an average of 3 uses per fern and 8 uses per conifer species. Often, a category of uses seems economically insignificant compared to one considered primary, but these are significant for biodiversity. Rare species that have special economic value are endangered, and protecting them always requires effort.

BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS RELATED TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Daniela TITA1, Tatiana CIUREA2, Ionut STOICA3*, Dumitra RADUCANU3*, Diana Ioana TITA4

Alcohol addiction (alcoholism) is characterized by the regular consumption of large quantities of alcohol, by the inability of the individual to stay awake for a longer period of time. There are many causes e.g. genetic, psychological and social factors, that can lead to the installation of this condition, and as individuals continue to consume alcohol, changes occur that can compromise the structure and functions of the brain, determine the transition from controlled consumption, to abusive, chronic, difficult to control. Women and men metabolize alcohol differently, and alcohol consumption affects women more than men in the sense that they are more vulnerable to short and long - term effects and can develop diseases associated with alcohol consumption faster than men. Regardless of the severity of alcohol addiction, the effects it has on health, but also on the life of the individual, can be devastating. This study analyzes the variation of certain biochemical parameters: glucose, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), GGT (gamma glutamyltransferase), which are useful in the early detection of cellular damage caused by excessive ethanol consumption in different patient groups. The results obtained reflected differences between sexes, ages, and the risk factors monitored.