Investigation of the effects of cadmium by micro analytical methods on Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. roots.

The interactions between cadmium stress and plant nutritional elements have been investigated on complete plant or at the level of organs. This study was undertaken to contribute to the exploration of the physiological basis of cadmium phytotoxicity. We examined the changes in the nutritional element compositions of the root epidermal cells of the seedlings of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. at the initial growth stages that is known as the most sensitive stage to the stress. Effects of cadmium stress on the seedlings of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. were examined by EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray Microanalysis) assay performed with using low vacuum (∼ 24 Pascal) Scanning Electron Microscopy. In the analysis performed at the level of root epidermal cells, some of the macro- and micronutrient contents of the cells (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, copper, and zinc levels) were found to change when the applying toxic concentrations of cadmium. There was no change in the manganese and sodium content of the epidermal cells. It was concluded that the changes in nutritional element composition of the cells can be considered as an effective parameter in explaining the physiological mechanisms of cadmium-induced growth inhibition.

Electromagnetic waves of 900 MHz in acute pentylenetetrazole model in ontogenesis in mice.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of electromagnetic waves (EMW) at 900 MHz. EMW were produced by a signal generator and were administered to mice via an antenna. The frequency of the waves was tested by a spectrum analyser and a frequency-meter. The emitted power was 0.25 mW. A total of 117 mice (59 prepubertal and 58 adult) was used. Mice were exposed to EMW or sham radiation for 2 h and 20 h before an injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). A statistically significant difference was found between the latency measurements within 20 h for prepubertal mice in stages 1 and 2 ( p<0.05). The effects on prepubertal mice of long-term 900 MHz EMW in a PTZ model may be an indication of possible problems in developing brains.