Magnetic field is an environmental factor for living organisms which affects biological processes in different ways. Living cells contain electrical charges which are produced by free ions or radicals. Magnetic fields can influence cells via interaction with ions and especially ferromagnetic materials, like iron. In this study, parsley or Petroselinum crispum cells were treated by static magnetic field (30 mT, for 4 hours) and the total content of iron, ferritin and the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were assayed. Results showed a significant decrease in the total iron content and it was followed by a decrease in ferritin content. Ascorbate peroxidase activity was reduced. It could be resulted by decrease of iron as a structural element. However, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity increased in response to magnetic field compared to the control cells. It seemed that catalase activities increased scavenge H2O2 produced by increasing superoxide dismutase activity.

The ability to sense and respond to physical stimuli is an important key of the life. It was recognized that ultrasound as a physical stimulus could produce drastic changes in biological systems. High-intensity ultrasound is well known to be destructive to biological materials, but low-intensity ultrasound, on the other hand, has shown a range of biological effects with potential significance in biotechnology. One of the most studied effects of ultrasound on living cells is the increase in their membrane permeability, enhancing the uptake of foreign substances and the release of intracellular products into the media. In the present research suspension-cultured parsley cells were treated with ultrasound at 29 kHz with the power of 455 mW/cm3, for 10, 20, and 40 min. The viability of cells was examined using Evanꞌs blue dye. Alteration of membrane permeability was evaluated by measuring the lipid peroxidation rate and leakage of electrolytes such as Ca2+ and K+ from membranes to the extracellular medium.According to the results exposure to ultrasound for 10 and 20 min neither changed the viability of the cells nor lipid peroxidation of the membranes. Exposure of parsley cells to ultrasound for 40 min however, decreased the viability and increased the release of K+ to the extracellular medium. The results suggest that low dosage of ultrasound energy dose not adversely affect the membrane integrity of parsley cells and also stimulates their growth.

Objective(s): In recent years, green synthesis of nanoparticles is under exploration due to wide medicine and biological applications and research interest in nanotechnology. Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is becoming increasingly importance as eco-friendly. The objectives of this study were the production of zinc oxide nanoparticles using parsley extract.Methods: In the present study, ZnO NPs were synthesized from an extract of parsleyat different temperatures (at room temperature and 90°C) and obtained the optimum time for preparation of ZnO NPs. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy (DRS). The antibacterial activities of the samples were determined against Escherichia coli (E. coli).Results: XRD results of ZnO NPs were correctly synthesized and crystalline structure was similar to the previously reported pattern. The nanoparticle morphology was observed for ZnO nanostructured based on the SEM images. DLS analysis showed samples in the nanometer scale. The DRS absorption spectra of nanoparticles showed the Ultraviolet (UV) protective properties. The antibacterial activities againstE.coli were observed because of the presence of ZnO NPs.Conclusions: This result showed that the parsley extract is good candidate for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles with antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli. The result indicated that ZnO NPs can have a good potential for different applications.

The diurnal fluctuation of nitrate concentration in the foliage of three parsley subspecies (plainleafed, curly-leafed and turnip rooted parsley) cultivated in the spring and autumn of two consecutive years was examined. Nitrogen was applied at 30 (Control), 75, 150, 300 mg kg-1 in both years, but with the addition of 450 mg kg-1 in year 2. Harvest was carried out at 08: 30, 12: 30 and 17: 30 on a single day for each sowing. The results showed that the nitrate concentration of the foliage was lowest when harvest was carried out at midday (12: 30), although not always to a statistically significant level in the low N-application rates (£ 75 mg kg-1). In addition, increasing the rate of N application from 30 to 450 mg kg-1 resulted in a progressive increase in the nitrate concentration of the foliage irrespective of the time of day at which the plants were harvested. The concentration of nitrate differed between subspecies and was higher in the older, outer leaves in the case of turnip-rooted parsley than in the younger, inner leaves. It is concluded that although the nitrate concentration of the foliage of all three parsley subspecies increased with increasing rates of N-application, even the implement of the highest nitrogen rate (<400 mg kg-1 fresh weight), did not resulted in nitrate content that exceeded the maximum level recommended by the E.U., irrespective of the time of harvest, subspecies, age of the leaves and the season of cultivation.

Background: The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the histologic results of biopsy in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) cytologic diagnosis.Materials and Methods: We reviewed a series of cases with ASCUS pap smears from March 1999 to Feb 2002 in Imam Khomeini Hospital (n= 104), Who had cervical biopsy indirected colposcopy (103) and in Onec endocervical biopsy obtained without colposcopy. In 60 patients before colposcopy and biopsy repeat pap smear was tabled.Results: Biopsy revealed 28.8% SIL (14 LSIL and 16 HSIL),1 invasive carcinoma and 1 endometrial carcinoma. Pap smear repeated for 60 women before colposcopy examination, which 7 (11.7%) of them were normal. ASCUS persisted in 45 cases (75%) and 8 cases (13.3%) turned out to be SIL (6 LSIL, 2 HSIL) of 7 normal repeat smear, 2 marked as LSIL by biopsy. In colposcopic examination 22 of 103 (21.4%) had normal view which one of them was LSIL histologically.Conclusion: Based on these findings, it seems immediate colposcopy and directed biopsy are appropriate procedures for management of ASCUS and to detect underlying SIL.