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    Comparative cyto- and genotoxicity of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz electromagnetic field radiations in root meristems of Allium cepa
    (Academic Press, 2020) Kumar A.; Kaur S.; Chandel S.; Singh H.P.; Batish D.R.; Kohli R.K.
    In the last few decades, tremendous increase in the use of wireless electronic gadgets, particularly the cell phones, has significantly enhanced the levels of electromagnetic field radiations (EMF-r) in the environment. Therefore, it is pertinent to study the effect of these radiations on biological systems including plants. We investigated comparative cytotoxic and DNA damaging effects of 900 and 1800 MHz EMF-r in Allium cepa (onion) root meristematic cells in terms of mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Onion bulbs were subjected to 900 and 1800 MHz (at power densities 261 ± 8.50 mW m?2 and 332 ± 10.36 mW m?2, respectively) of EMF-r for 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h. Root length declined by 13.2% and 12.3%, whereas root thickness was increased by 46.7% and 48.3% after 4 h exposure to 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, respectively. Cytogenetic studies exhibited clastogenic effect of EMF-r as depicted by increased CAs and MI. MI increased by 36% and 53% after 2 and 4 h exposure to 900 MHz EMF-r, whereas it increased by 41% and 67% in response to 1800 MHz EMF-r. Aberration index was increased by 41%–266% and 14%–257% during 0.5–4 h of exposure to 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, respectively, over the control. EMF-r exposure decreased % head DNA (DNAH) and increased % tail DNA (DNAT) and olive tail moment (OTM) at both 900 and 1800 EMF-r. In 4 h exposure treatments, head DNA (%) declined by 19% and 23% at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, respectively. DNAT and OTM were increased by 2.3 and 3.7 fold upon exposure to 900 MHz EMF-r over that in the control, whereas 2.8 and 5.8 fold increase was observed in response to 1800 MHz EMF-r exposure for 4 h and the difference was statistically significant. The study concludes that EMF-r in the communication range (900 and 1800 MHz) adversely affect root meristems in plants and induce cytotoxic and DNA damage. EMF-r induced DNA damage was more pronounced at 1800 MHz than that at 900 MHz.
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    ?-Pinene moderates Cr(VI) phytotoxicity by quenching reactive oxygen species and altering antioxidant machinery in maize
    (Springer Verlag, 2019) Mahajan P.; Singh H.P.; Kaur S.; Batish D.R.; Kohli R.K.
    We examined the possible role of monoterpene ?-pinene in providing protection against Cr(VI) toxicity in maize (Zea mays). Treatment with β-pinene (10 μM) significantly alleviated Cr(VI) accumulation and recuperated Cr(VI) caused decline in root and coleoptile growth in maize. ?-Pinene addition caused a decline in Cr(VI)-induced accumulation of superoxide anion, hydroxyl ion, hydrogen peroxide and confirmed by in-situ detection of ROS using histochemical localization. It suggested that the ?-pinene quenches/neutralizes enhanced ROS generated under Cr(VI) exposure. ?-Pinene also reduced Cr(VI)-induced electrolyte leakage, thereby suggesting its role in membrane stabilization. Further, ?-pinene regulated the activity of scavenging enzymes, thereby suggesting a role in modulating Cr(VI)-induced oxidative damage. In conclusion, our results suggest that the addition of ?-pinene has a protective role against Cr(VI) stress and provides resistance to maize against Cr(VI) toxicity.
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    Appraisal of immediate and late effects of mobile phone radiations at 2100�MHz on mitotic activity and DNA integrity in root meristems of Allium cepa
    (Springer-Verlag Wien, 2019) Chandel S.; Kaur S.; Issa M.; Singh H.P.; Batish D.R.; Kohli R.K.
    The present study evaluated the potential of 2100�MHz radiofrequency radiations to act as cytotoxic and genotoxic agent. Fresh onion (Allium cepa L.) roots were exposed to electromagnetic field radiations (EMF-r) for different durations (1�h and 4�h) and evaluated for mitotic index (MI), phase index, chromosomal aberrations, and DNA damage. DNA damage was investigated with the help of the comet assay by assessing various parameters like % head DNA (HDNA), % tail DNA (TDNA), tail moment (TM), and olive tail moment (OTM). Effects of EMF-r exposure were also compared with that of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; 90�?M), which acted as a positive control. The post-exposure effects of EMF-r after providing the test plants with an acclimatization period of 24�h were also evaluated. Compared to the control, a significant increase in the MI and aberration percentage was recorded upon 4�h of exposure. However, no specific trend of phase index in response to exposure was detected. EMF-r exposure incited DNA damage with a significant decrease in HDNA accompanied by an increase in TDNA upon exposure of 4�h. However, TM and OTM did not change significantly upon exposure as compared to that of control. Analysis of the post-exposure effects of EMF-r did not show any significant change/recovery. Our data, thus, suggest the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic nature of 2100�MHz EMF-r. Our study bears great significance in view of the swiftly emergent EMF-r in the surrounding environment and their potential for inciting aberrations at the chromosomal level, thus posing a genetic hazard. � 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.