The data from literature shows that frozen vegetal products preserve their nutritional qualities for a long time. Fruits have a high content of substances with antioxidant capacity in the body. There are many recent studies demonstrating the importance of antioxidant substances in neutralizing free radicals in the human body. In this study there were analysed phenolic compounds and flavonoids in eight different species of fruits, belonging to three families. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated by: CUPRAC assay, ABTS method and FRAP method. Our results show that the studied fruits represent rich sources of compounds with antioxidant capacity.

This report presents the current knowledge of Orobanche resistance in sunflower from the breeder's standpoint and from the biochemists' standpoint.The parasitic relations in Helianthus annuus / Orobanche cumana associations differ in many respect from relations of other Orobanche spp. and their hosts.A major difficulty for the breeder is the fast development of new pathotypes of Orobanche cumana, which overcome the resistance of newly developed sunflower lines. The basis of increasing aggressiveness of Orobanche cumana pathotypes is discussed. Nevertheless, there is still large potential for resistance breeding in the genus Helianthus, since very different resistance factors are already known or shall be elucidated.A survey is presented of known resistance factors, such as low stimulants, mechanical barriers and how they develop, phytoalexins, Orobanche seed germination inhibitors, inhibition of exoenzymes of the Orobanche radicles, in particular of polygalacturonase, which enables the penetration of Orobanche tissue into the host root along the middle lamellae. In this context an interesting new approach may be found in the polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins occurring in cell walls, which inhibit the invasion of pathogenic fungi.The need for molecular biological studies will be stressed. Interdisciplinary collaboration of breeders with biochemists and molecular biologists may lead to more advanced breeding strategies.

In the dental office, diabetes mellitus is a chronic affection that many patients suffer. Apart from the treatment of all diabetic patients, they use homeopathic medicines. We consider the importance of knowing these extracted hypoglycemic plants and their way of acting by the dentist.In this study we investigated some extracts obtained from vegetal sources used by hypoglycaemic action: Juglans regia L. -nut, Morus nigra L. -black mulberry, Olea europaea L. -olive. We followed the level of antioxidant compounds and the antioxidant capacity in the alcoholic extracts. Our results indicate higher antioxidant efficiency in the extracts from young plant parts, with meristematic tissues, and also a modified phytochemical profile, compared to the extract from mature plant parts.

Flow cytometry with its numerous advantages, has become indispensable for modern biochemistry research, being a highly efficient and sensitive in many areas, particularly in the fundamental or applied cellular biology. Flow cytometry has greatly contributed to the exploration of the cellular structure and functions, combining analytical and preparative aspects. In combination with the use of the probes (fluorochromes, fluorogenic substrates, monoclonal antibodies and lectins), the FCM enables multiple investigations for the characterization of cellular populations, the analysis of the cellular components (nucleic acids, proteins, intercellular and surface antigens, enzyme activities, membrane potential, mitochondrial activity, intracellular pH, ion flux and membrane fluidity). We chose to study the behavior of fibroblasts using flow cytometry, in terms of effects induced by the presence of extracts from Trigonella foenum graecum L.

Oxidative stress is considered to have an important role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. This investigation sought to determine whether the appliance of etiologic factors for temporomandibular joint disorder is associated with modified values of oxidative stress as measured by biomarkers in plasma. A case-control study design was used to compare oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde and glutathione) in plasma from Wistar rats with different etiologic factors (biomechanical stress, estrogen hormones and emotional stress), compared to non-temporomandibular joint controls. Etiologic factors were applied in five groups (n=10) of mature female Wistar rats, individually (biomechanical stress, estrogen hormones and emotional stress) in three groups or in combination for two groups (biomechanical stress-emotional stress and biomechanical stress-emotional stress). No factor applied for the control group. Blood samples were taken after 30 and 60 days of experiment. Malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in plasma were evaluated. The most important modifications in malondialdehyde levels were recorded for the fifth group (biomechanical stress-emotional stress) where values increased significantly from 30 to 60 days plasma analysis (p = 0.003). No statistical differences were recorded in glutathione plasmatic levels between control and experimental groups at 30 days analysis. At 60 days, glutathione plasmatic evaluation recorded higher values than control for all experimental groups. Our findings in this rat experimental model, clearly indicate that biomechanical stress, estrogen hormones and emotional stress, have an impact on oxidative stress development and consequently on the functionality of the temporomandibular joint in rats. Moreover combined actions of these factors, increase the oxidative stress phenomena on temporomandibular joint in rats.