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the question naturally arises as to whether Mimosa can discriminate between stimuli. This was answered in the affirmative by Holmes and Gruenberg (1965) whose experimental design included a drop of water and finger touch as stimuli

the results suggest that Mimosa can discriminate between stimuli

In addition to Mimosa, habituation has been found in the carnivorous plant Drosera (sundew

Applewhite (1975) cites an experiment by Darwin reportedly showing habituation in the passion flower (Passiflora gracilis). During this experiment, when Darwin mechanically stimulated the passion flower tendrils, the tendrils no longer responded after 54 h of training.

Abramson et al. (2002) investigated the use of bioelectrical potentials as a method to explore plant behavior.

There is also interest from behavioral scientists seeking to determine whether the similarities and differences in learning found among invertebrates and vertebrates could also be found in plants (Warden et al., 1940; Applewhite, 1975; Abramson et al., 2002; Guiguet, 2013).

In the following section we will focus on methods to develop studies utilizing habituation, sensitization, and classical conditioning techniques. Instrumental and operant conditioning will not be covered because at this time there are no Mimosa studies in these areas; although one can envision a situation where the opening and closing of a leaf can be detected electronically. Once detected, the response would produce a consequence such as an airpuff or changes in light intensity.

Learning in Plants: Lessons from Mimosa pudica

With DRE having proven its efficacy in successfully killing this aggressive, chemoresistant form of skin cancer, DRE toxicity on normal cells had to be evaluated

DRE was found to reduce cell viability in a dose-dependent fashion, over time, in A375 melanoma cells as was measured by WST-1 assay. Based on metabolic activity of A375s, it was confirmed that treatment at 2.5 mg/mL DRE resulted in ~50% reduction in cell viability against control within 24 hours (Figure 1(a))

Higher doses were then used and a response was observed at a concentration of 10 mg/mL (

Typical apoptotic morphology was observed in G361 cells treated with DRE starting at 5 mg/mL concentrations for 72 hours

) is more than a worthy chemopreventative, it is fast-acting, nontoxic, and therefore specific in its targeting of human melanoma cancer cells, making it a valuable chemotherapeutic. We have investigated the induction of apoptosis in human malignant melanoma cells and observed its long-term effects in human melanoma cancer.

We are yet to determine the effect of each of the individual components (such as the family of triterpene alcohols and phenolic acids—found in the roots—and cinnamic acids, flavinoids and coumarins—that are found in the leaves

Given that DRE has traditionally been used naturopathically for a variety of ailments, we assume that it would be relatively nontoxic to healthy cells. Our results show that the Normal Human Fibroblasts (NHFs) (which were treated at a low population doubling where NHFs have the best proliferation rate) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells remained unaffected and healthy after a 96-hour and 48- hour exposure to DRE, respectively (Figures 2(a)–2(d)).

Lupeol,

taraxasterol

More importantly, an increase in ROS production indicates prooxidant behaviour of DRE on cancer cell mitochondria, which is contrary to the antioxidant convictions of traditional medicine and previous studies on Taraxacum extracts citing reductions in NO, ROS, RNS, and COX-2 [10, 11] in mouse macrophages.

There are two main points that must be stated here: firstly, that noncancerous cells are unaffected by DRE treatment, and secondly, melanoma cells retain the signals to commit suicide long after DRE has been removed from the system

By 48 hours, human melanoma A375 cells uncharacteristically showed susceptibility to apoptosis induction by DRE

We believe that this nontoxic extract can undergo precipitous translation from bench top to bedside, with dandelion products that are already commercially available in the form of tea and supplements.

Spectral diversity calculated in forests with closed canopies and large individual trees matched plant diversity determined on the ground better than spectral diversity calculated in open landscapes dominated by small herbaceous plants and grasses.

The optimum ALN gel formulation reduced mean relative carcinoma volume (MCV) at a higher rate (p < 0.05) compared with free amygdalin solution and free tamoxifene suspension.

The group treated with plain niosomes gel showed MCV nearly similar to that of the DMBA control group.

Histological examination of the optimum ALN gel treated group (Figure 7F) showed clearly healed skin with normal covering epithelium and marked improvement in all signs of the epidermis and dermis that were better than those of the oral amygdalin solution. These results confirmed the effectiveness of amygdalin loaded niosomes gel as a cancer therapy in vivo.

Histological examination of the optimum ALN gel-treated group (Figure 8B) showed clearly healed skin with normal covering epithelium.

The optimum ALN gel enhanced the permeation of amygdalin into deep skin layers and showed significant anti-tumor activity compared with oral tamoxifen.

. EGCG was able to restore the activity of aztreonam against MDR P. aeruginosa . The data presented support further evaluation of the aztreonam–EGCG combination and highlight its potential for use in clinical medici

Polyphenols

To access synergy between aztreonam and EGCG, checkerboard assays were performed

Chemicals, media, bacterial isolates and animals

In conclusion, the results from this study demonstrate that synergy exists between aztreonam and EGCG against MDR clinical strains of P. aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo. EGCG is also able to restore the antibacterial activity of aztreonam to concentrations below the EUCAST susceptibility breakpoint for P. aeruginosa , potentially expanding and extending its useful therapeutic lifespan. Further work should be undertaken to determine if this combination has the potential to treat clinical infections caused by MDR P. aeruginosa .

93 had abnormal CSF pressure pulsations, with opening pressures ranging from 206 to 385 mm

Group 3 included 37 patients, all with both elevated CSF opening pressure (mean = 282.2 mm H2O,

n Group 3, patients with severe abnormal pressure pulsations and mean pressure >250 mm H2O had the most severe headaches (highest scores on VAS and MIDAS) and associated symptoms (high frequency of: nocturnal headache, postural headache, photopsias, transient visual obscurations).

69 (74%) out 93 patients achieved ≥50% reduction in headache days.

o explain this mimicry, we hypothesize that abnormal pulsations in CSF pressure may trigger the same mechanism that cause the pain in a primary headache attack. The mimicry thereby emerges as a variation of pre-existing primary headache; as such, it could be considered a triggered headache rather than a secondary or primary one.

This suggests that CSF pressure assessment by measuring the height of the fluid column in the manometer line connected to a spinal puncture needle may be misleading in the case of headache sufferers.

“If you can play everything backwards, then no energy has escaped during your computation,” says Demaine.

by PCR. F

Based on the results of the VlvSTS gene transcription analysis, seven transgenic tobacco lines were selected for further experiments.

Expression of the VlvSTS gene in tobacco plants led to a significant increase in the pollen grain size, but with a tendency to a decrease in the total number of pollen grains per anther

In all tests with E. carotovora bacteria, transgenic plants expressing the VlvSTS gene demonstrated a significantly higher resistance versus control plants

The leaf involvement was significantly smaller in transgenic plants expressing the VlvSTS gene.

Overexpression of the VlvSTS gene reduced the corolla pigmentation in transgenic plants.

binary vector

showed a significant fertility reduction,

For the first time it was shown that plants expressing the VlvSTS gene had enhanced resistance to the bacterial pathogen E. carotovora subsp. carotovora B15.

We were the first to show that transgenic tobacco plants carrying the VlvSTS gene had a significantly larger pollen grain size and a smaller number of pollen grains per anther. At the same time, the number of fertile pollen grains decreased, especially in the plant line with the highest expression of the VlvSTS gene.

For example, in apple plants with the grape stilbene synthase gene Vst1 under its own promoter, the expression of the gene had no effect on pollen development

The study showed that the expression of a VlvSTS stilbene syntase gene in tobacco transgenic plants increases their resistance to bacterial pathogen E. carotovora. There was a significant reduction of disease symptoms after infection of leaves by grey mould fungus B. cinerea, but not to Fusarium fungi. We were the first to show that transgenic tobacco plants carrying the VlvSTS gene had a significantly larger pollen grain size and a smaller number of pollen grains per anther. The number of fertile pollen grains decreased, especially in the plant line with the highest expression of the VlvSTS gene. These changes resulted in a decreased weight of seed bolls in the transgenic tobacco lines.

He was surprised to find almost no literature on blinking behavior in active humans even though under extreme conditions like motor racing or cycling

Nishizono and colleagues mounted eye trackers on the helmets of three drivers and had them drive three Formula circuits

Where the drivers blinked was surprisingly predictable, the team found. The drivers had a shared pattern of blinking that had a strong connection with acceleration, such that drivers tended not to blink while changing speed or direction — like while on a curve in the track — but did blink while on relatively safer straightaways.

“We think of blinking as this nothing behavior,” he says, “but it’s not just wiping the eyes. Blinking is a part of our visual system.”

Nishizono next wants to explore what processes in the brain allow or inhibit blinking in a given moment, he says, and is also interested in how blinking behavior varies among the general population.

Using this acoustic method, the presence of species, and a determination of ecological health, can be inferred simply by listening to the natural world without disturbing the environment or harming the plants and animals within it.

Publication: Jack A. Greenhalgh, et al., Diel variation in insect-dominated temperate pond soundscapes and guidelines for survey design, Freshwater Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1111/fwb.14092.