BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES In recent years, brachytherapy involving permanent radioactive seed implantation has emerged as an effective modality for the management of cancer of prostate. 125 I-Ocu-Prosta seeds were indigenously developed and studies were carried out to assess the safety of the indigenously developed 125 I-Ocu-Prosta seeds for treatment of prostate cancer. METHODS Animal experime...

KAMENOVA, I., 2016. Non-transmission of plum pox virus through seeds of myrobalan and apricot. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 22: 267–271 Seeds from wild-grown myrobalan (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) infected with PPV-D strain and from apricot (P. armeniaca) infected with PPV-Rec strain were investigated for their potential role in virus transmission. The presence of PPV was checked in fully ripe seeds, gem...

Salix variegata Franch, a prominent plant applied in riparian shelter vegetation in Three Gorges reservoir region of China, produces many seeds every year but generates only a few or no seedlings. Whether the low seedling production of S. variegata is caused by seed sterility or by rapid loss of seed viability remains unknown. We investigated the sojourn time of mature seeds in capsules produce...

Parrots are largely considered plant antagonists as they usually destroy the seeds they feed on. However, there is evidence that parrots may also act as seed dispersers. We evaluated the dual role of parrots as predators and dispersers of the Critically Endangered Parana pine (Araucaria angustifolia). Eight of nine parrot species predated seeds from 48% of 526 Parana pines surveyed. Observation...

The physiochemical characteristics and lipid composition in fast and slow germinating sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds were studied. The quantity of phospholipids, glycolipids and sterols in cotyledons and embryonic axes in fast germinating seeds (FG embryo emerged within 24 h after sowing) increased progressively between the 1st 6th days after sowing (DAS) compared with the slow growing ...

Although fungi cause a recognized problem during storage of recalcitrant seeds of many tropical species, there are no data to date on defence strategies of these seeds against fungal attack. To ascertain whether recalcitrant seeds of Avicennia marina elaborate compounds that might suppress fungal proliferation during hydrated storage, the production and efficacy of beta-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1....

Permanent prostate brachytherapy is frequently performed worldwide, and many studies have demonstrated its favorable outcomes. Implant seeds used in this procedure contain a precise amount of radionuclide and are completely sealed. Because these seeds are not manufactured in Japan, they are expensive (6300 yen per seed) and therefore need careful management as a radioisotope. The proper implant...

This is the first record of Acanthoscelides schrankiae Horn. feeding in seeds of Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze. We investigated the pattern of oviposition and seed exploitation by A. schrankiae, and the distribution of mature fruits and seed predation in the inflorescences. We also compared the percentage of predated seeds, the total dry weight of fruits and non-predated seeds, the percentage...

Digital pelvic radiographs are used to identify the locations of implanted iodine-125 seeds and their numbers after insertion. However, it is difficult and laborious to visually identify and count all implanted seeds on the pelvic radiographs within a short time. Therefore, our purpose in this research was to develop an automated method for estimation of the number of implanted seeds based on t...

Lianas are an important component of tropical forests, and may reach their highest densities in disturbed areas. However, information on seed and germination characteristics is scarce. Twenty Amazon liana species were screened for their germination characteristics, including light dependence, tolerance of desiccation and of alternating temperatures; these characteristics are considered importan...