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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Phytotoxicity of cyanide to weeping willow trees.

BACKGROUND: Cyanide is found predominantly in industrial effluents generated by metallurgical operations. It is an extremely toxic compound, so that problems and catastrophic accidents have recently occurred all around the globe. The goal of this study was to determine the toxicity of cyanide to a Chinese willow species, and to determine the removal capacity. METHODS: The toxicity of potassium cyanide (KCN) to weeping willow trees (Salix babylonica L.) was tested. The normalized, relative transpiration of the plants was used to determine the phytotoxicity of cyanide. The cyanide removal capacity of weeping willows was also determined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In hydroponic solution, no chlorosis of leaves and only a small reduction in normalized relative transpiration was observed when weeping willows were exposed to low doses of cyanide (< or = 0.93 mg CN/L). Severe signs of toxicity were found for the treatment groups exposed to higher doses of cyanide (> or = 9.3 mg CN/L). Weeping willows grown in sandy soils survived the entire period (216 hours) without any toxic effect when irrigated with low doses of cyanide (3.72 mg CN/L). High doses of cyanide (> or = 18.6 mg CN/L) in irrigation water were fatal for the weeping willows within 216 hours. EC50 values for a 50% inhibition of the transpiration of the trees were estimated to be between 3.27 and 8.23 mg CN/L, depending on the duration of the exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained for the Chinese willow species Salix babylonica were very similar to those obtained for the European species S. viminalis in earlier studies. Phytotoxic effects were only found at high doses of cyanide. A large proportion of applied cyanide was removed from the contaminated media in the presence of weeping willows. This gives rise to the conclusion that the metabolism of cyanide by weeping willows is possible. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: Cyanide elimination with trees seems to be a feasible option for cleaning soils and water contaminated with cyanide. A full-scale treatment has been installed in Denmark. For phytoremediation projects in China, weeping willow could be a suitable species. The tree can tolerate and remove cyanide, and it is a native Chinese species. Besides, the tree is of outstanding beauty and is planted as a common park tree in many parts of the world.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2002

[Sedimentable amyloplasts in Japanese weeping cherry].

In branches of the upright type of Japanese cherry reacting on the gravity stimulation, tension wood were formed by the action of gibberellin in the secondary xylem and caused negative gravitropism [correction of gravitorpism]. In the other hand, in branches of the weeping type of Japanese cherry, gibberellin was almost used for the elongation of the tip region and the shortage of gibberellin in the supporting tissue caused on the lack of tension wood. The weeping branches were unable to support their own weight and elongated to downward. It has already reported that both the upright and the weeping types of Japanese cherry have sedimentable amyloplasts in the endodermal starch sheath cells. In this study, the endodermal starch sheath cells were examined to investigate the cause of abnormal gravi-response in branches of the weeping type of Japanese cherry. Current-year branches of both the upright and the weeping types of Prunus spachiana were used as materials. The amyloplasts in the weeping type sedimented toward the base of the branches elongating upward and toward the apex in the branches elongating downward. In both cases, the sedimentation was toward the gravity vector. Then, the amyloplasts of the weeping branches were re-sedimentated toward the vector of gravity after changing branch position mechanically to upward, same as the upright type. In electron microscope studies, it was showed that amyloplasts had the lamella structure and the endodermal starch sheath cells were filled with large vacuoles. Moreover, endoplasmic reticulum, which was noticed in organelle relating to the graviperception, distributed to the cell periphery and was not locally. It was not showed the cell polarity [correction of polality]. The fine structures of the endodermal starch sheath cell of both types of cherry were similar. These results suggest that the abnormality of the gravi-response in the weeping Prunus trees is not due to the abnormal development of gravi-sensor.

Cell Polarity↗

PubMed1996

Weeping during psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Ictal weeping may help distinguish psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) from epileptic seizures. However, the prevalence of weeping during PNES or epileptic seizures is unknown. We reviewed videotapes of recorded events in 84 consecutive patients with PNES or epilepsy. Weeping was observed during 14% of PNES in 31% of patients with PNES. Ictal weeping was not observed in any epileptic seizures occurring in 48 patients. The differences were highly significant. One patient with epileptic seizures originating in the right temporal lobe wept soon after the end of a seizure. Depression was not more common in PNES patients with than without ictal weeping. Weeping during an apparent seizure strongly argues that the event is not epileptic.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of weep and carcass rinses for recovery of Campylobacter from retail broiler carcasses.

Campylobacter is frequently recovered from broiler carcasses. Carcass rinsing is a commonly used procedure for isolating Campylobacter from poultry. A viscous fluid, or weep, exudes from broiler carcasses that have been packaged. This fluid can contain bacteria that were attached to the carcass and represents a potential means of detecting Campylobacter-contaminated carcasses through cultural analysis. Experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of a weep sampling method with that of a carcass rinse method. For both trials, retail carcasses were purchased. Packages were opened, and 0.1-ml aliquots of weep fluid from the retail packages were plated onto Campy-cefex agar. Carcasses were removed from the package and rinsed in 100 ml of sterile water. Next, 0.1-ml aliquots of the rinsate were plated onto Campy-cefex agar and incubated. In a second experiment, samples were both directly plated and enriched in Bolton enrichment broth. In the first experiment, 35 of 60 carcass rinses tested positive for Campylobacter, while 29 of 60 weep samples yielded Campylobacter isolates with levels of 1.0 and 1.1 log CFU/ml, respectively. In the second experiment, Campylobacter was recovered from 9 of 40 rinse samples and from 13 of 40 weep samples by direct plating, while the organism was recovered from 28 of 40 rinses samples and from 23 of 40 carcass samples by enrichment. There was no significant difference between the two methods with respect to Campylobacter prevalence as determined by the chi-square test. Campylobacter levels recovered by both methods averaged 0.9 log CFU/ml. The sampling of weep fluid was a simple, effective means of detecting this important human enteropathogen on broiler carcasses.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The weeping behavior in anorexic and bulimic females.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to examine the proneness, the functions and triggering situations of weeping in anorexic and bulimic women. METHODS: Participants were 36 anorexic and 31 bulimic female patients and 56 age-matched female controls. All women completed the Questionnaire on Adult Crying. We limited our study to results on 'crying proneness', 'functions of crying' and 'determining factors of crying'. RESULTS: Bulimic patients reported to have cried significantly more often in the last 4 weeks, to be more likely to cry in situations of distress and to have used weeping significantly more often as a manipulative behavior than control women. Anorexic patients rated their tendency to cry significantly lower and experienced weeping as significantly more negative than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to control women, anorexic patients associated weeping with negative feelings as opposed to bulimic patients who appeared to use weeping on an intentional basis. These deviations from control women seem to mirror the introvert character of anorexic patients and the extrovert impulsive personality of patients with bulimia nervosa, respectively.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1992

"If you love someone, you don't hurt them": a comprehensive process analysis of a weeping event in therapy.

Early theorists described physical diseases (e.g., asthma, ulcers) thought to be associated with the inhibition of weeping (e.g., Alexander 1950), and catharsis theories (Breuer and Freud 1895/1955; Koestler 1964) postulated that unexpressed emotion accumulated as in a tank, and then overflowed as tears when a threshold level was exceeded. From a more biological perspective, it has been suggested that stress produces toxic chemicals in the body that become concentrated in the lacrimal gland and are released through weeping, restoring homeostasis (Frey 1985). As a result of these theories, psychotherapists tend to believe weeping is healthy for clients and that it serves to decrease depression (Trezza et al. 1988). While laboratory studies have typically not supported these ideas (e.g., Labott and Martin 1987, 1988), no studies have been performed on weeping specifically in the context of psychotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Prolactin and weeping.

Fourteen women with functional hyperprolactinemia and an equal number of matched healthy controls completed a questionnaire on weeping behavior. Contrary to expectations the patient group were not more prone to weeping than the controls. In addition, their appraisal of weeping behavior (as a way to tension release and relief) did not differ from the controls. It is concluded that moderately elevated prolactin levels, although causing somatic disturbances such as amennorrhea and galactorrhea, do not affect the weeping threshold.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Weeping as a common element of pseudoseizures.

Weeping is an extremely rare ictal phenomenon. We report weeping during or at the very end of electrographically proved pseudoseizures in 10 patients. We conclude that weeping is a relatively common and specific clinical feature of pseudoepileptic seizures.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Uptake, metabolism, and toxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in weeping willows.

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a high volume production chemical and the most commonly used gasoline oxygenate. Uptake, metabolism and toxicity of MTBE in trees were investigated in this study. Pre-rooted weeping willows (Salix babylonica L.) were exposed to hydroponic solution spiked with MTBE and incubated at 25.0+/-1 degrees C for 168 h. The normalized relative transpiration (NRT) rate of weeping willows was used to determine toxicity. MTBE and possible intermediate tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in solution, tissues of aerial parts of plants, and air were analyzed. Results from the toxicity test showed that severe signs of toxicity (the reduction of the NRT >or=35%) were only found at the treatment group with high doses of MTBE 400 mg L(-1). Neither chlorosis of leaves nor large reduction in the NRT was observed at MTBE exposure to weeping willows <or=200 mg L(-1). Almost all applied MTBE was removed from the hydroponic solution by plants in all treatment groups. Small amounts of MTBE were detected in the plant tissues, but a large fraction of the applied MTBE was found in the air through plant transpiration. Mass balance studies showed that MTBE was assimilated into the plants from hydroponic solution but was not metabolized during transport in the plant. Phytovolatilization was the only relevant removal process for MTBE. Transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), an important parameter for design of engineered MTBE phytoremediation systems, was estimated to be 1.12. In conclusion, although this compound is persistent to the attack by plant enzymes, atmospheric MTBE is much more susceptible to photo-oxidation for decomposition. Phytoremediation of MTBE polluted soils and groundwater is an alternative to presently available remediation technologies.

Methyl Ethers↗

PubMed2001

Occupational allergic contact urticaria to yucca (Yucca aloifolia), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), and spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii).

BACKGROUND: Occupational contact urticaria (CU) from plants is often reported, but it is less often attributed to decorative houseplants. We present an atopic gardener and caretaker of plants who developed CU when occupationally exposed to weeping fig, spathe flower, and yucca. METHODS: Sensitization was evaluated by skin prick tests (SPT) and analyses for IgE antibodies. RESULTS: SPT were positive to all three plants, and IgE antibodies were found to weeping fig and spathe flower. SPT were also performed with several decorative houseplants in more than 600 patients. Positive SPT was found to weeping fig (12%), African milk tree (8.3%), yucca (5.8%), Chinese rose (4.7%), massangana (4.6%), bird's nest fern (3.2%), and spathe flower (3.2%). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that SPT and tests for IgE antibody are useful in detecting occupational CU caused by houseplants.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

The stress-moderating effects of weeping and humor.

The moderating effects of emotional weeping and humor on the impact of negative life events were examined. Subjects who reported weeping frequently showed more mood disturbance at high levels of negative events and less to low levels of negative events than those who reported less frequent weeping. Humor-coping buffered stress in all groups except for males who reported frequent crying.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1985

Allergy to weeping fig--a new occupational disease.

During the last decade green plants have become more common in interior decoration. There are companies specializing in the leasing of green plants to public buildings and offices. Weeping fig is one of the most popular green plants. Dust and dry components of the plant are usually removed by vigorous shaking. In this way the allergen becomes airborne. During a few months we have seen several plant keepers who have developed airway allergy to weeping fig. Two of them have been thoroughly investigated. Both are atopics. Extracts were made from leaves and branches and both patients had positive skin prick tests and RAST. The risk of sensitization in plant keepers who work with weeping fig is probably considerable.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Fits of weeping as an unusual manifestation of reflex epilepsy induced by speaking: case report.

We report the case of a 62-year-old man with no past CNS history who for some weeks had had fits of weeping that lasted from 30" to 3', precede by any aura; sensorium was clear; there were no symptoms of any kind after the paroxysm; in the course of them his facial expression was that of weeping with sobbing and tears, but no corresponding affective-emotional content, as reported by the patient, who was able to converse during these episodes. The fits were easily triggered by speaking. EEG during an episode showed a slight flattening of the trace, high voltage sharp waves at 4-6 c/s appeared, especially over the left hemisphere. CT brainscan and cerebral angiogram revealed a large space-occupying lesion of cystic-necrotic appearance with considerable mass effect and characteristics of glioblastoma. Treatment with barbiturates ended the paroxysmal weeping. We consider that these episodes were simple partial epileptic seizure according to the WHO classification of 1981.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed2004

Expression of gibberellin 3 beta-hydroxylase gene in a gravi-response mutant, weeping Japanese flowering cherry.

Expressions of the gibberellin biosynthesis gene were investigated in a normal upright type and a gravi-response mutant, a weeping type of Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus spachiana), that is unable to support its own weight and elongates downward. A segment of the gibberellin 3 beta-hydroxylase cDNA of Prunus spachiana (Ps3ox), which is responsible for active gibberellin synthesis, was amplified by using real-time RT-PCR. The content of Ps3ox mRNA in the weeping type was much greater than that in the upright type, while the endogenous gibberellin level was much higher in the elongating zone of the weeping type. These results suggest that the amount and distribution of synthesized gibberellin regulate secondary xylem formation, and the unbalanced distribution of gibberellin affects the gravi-response of the Prunus tree.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Carcass yield and weep loss from fast-food cuts after processing broilers using extremes in stunning current and slush-ice chilling.

Six-week-old broilers were compared in yield and weep loss when stunned using either 25 or 125 mA current followed by slush-ice chilling where resultant carcasses were either held static for 4 h or subjected to 45 m of tumbling. Treatments were factorially arranged among the populations of 32 pens (24 birds per pen) that had been reared under common conditions. Tumbling increased chill water uptake, abdominal fat content, and yield of whole carcasses, whereas no differences occurred as a result of the stunning treatments. Carcasses were separated into a nine-piece cut immediately after chilling. All parts lost weight from weepage during the subsequent 24 h, and weep from total parts was greater when carcasses had been tumbled than held static. Keel portion breasts and drumsticks continued a weight advantage from water uptake with tumble chilling, but wings, thighs, and split breast lost this additional water and were similar to those respective parts static chilled. High stunning current led to an increased amount of keel portion breast, regardless of chilling treatment, with subsequent weep not being affected. Alterations in yield that occur because of chilling procedure are substantial and not equivalent among parts, whereas stunning has little impact and is focused on the breast.

Absorption↗

PubMed1995

Allergy to Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) in nonatopic subjects.

Occupational allergy to Ficus benjamina (Fb), or weeping fig, occurs in about one in four plant-keepers. Sensitization to this plant occurs in about 3-4% of persons with clear-cut atopy. I now report on four female nonatopic patients with rhinoconjunctivitis who were sensitized only to weeping fig. All four had a positive skin prick test and RAST test to Fb. The identification of a preventable respiratory allergen is of considerable importance for the patient. Inclusion of Fb in the standard prick test panel may therefore be considered. Furthermore, the findings suggest that it may be unwise to choose Fb as an ornamental indoor plant.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Cross-reactivity between Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) and natural rubber latex.

The importance of hypersensitivity to Ficus allergens is reported. Cross-sensitization between fig (Ficus carica), weeping fig (F. benjamina [Fb]), and natural rubber latex (NRL) was confirmed by RAST inhibition. We performed skin prick tests with fresh Fb tree sap and NRL extracts in 346 consecutive patients and in 151 patients with immediate-type hypersensitivity to NRL. Total serum IgE and IgE antibodies to NRL and Ficus spp. were analyzed in sera. By the RAST-inhibition method, we studied cross-reactivity among latex, fig, and weeping fig. Sensitization to Fb was diagnosed in 23 of the 346 consecutive patients, and the simultaneous presence of latex-specific IgE was highly significant. Of 151 NRL-allergic patients, 35 were also sensitized to Fb. Cross-reacting IgE antibodies recognizing latex and Ficus allergens were demonstrated by RAST inhibition. The present study reinforces the importance of Fb as an indoor allergen. Cross-reacting IgE antibodies to NRL and Ficus spp. allergens are frequently found in the sera of atopic patients. Development of commercially available standardized extracts for skin tests is urgently necessary.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Characterization of allergenic components in sap extract from the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina).

The allergen composition of crude extract from sap (latex) of the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) was investigated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The allergenic components were detected by sera from 11 occupationally exposed plant keepers, of whom 7 were non-atopic, and from 9 non-occupationally exposed atopic patients with a positive radio-allergosorbent test to weeping fig. The allergen-antibody complexes were visualized by rabbit anti-IgE and beta-galactosidase-labelled sheep anti-rabbit IgG, using a chromogenic insoluble substrate. A total of 11 allergenic components were identified. Three of them were found to be major allergenic components, identified by more than 50% of the investigated sera. These 3 IgE-binding components had molecular weights of approximately 29,000, 28,000 and 25,000 daltons, respectively. The major allergenic components were denatured by heat in the temperature range of 60-90 degrees C.

Adult↗