Department of Botany

The study was achieved during 2017 in the laboratories of the department of Botany at Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria. The effect of ultraviolet radiation (UV-C, UV-B) on the carbohydrate content and the oxygen evolution of Euglena gracilis was studied for different periods (0, 5, 30 minutes). The results show that the carbohydrate content and the oxygen evolution as indicators of photosynthesis and productivity were more sensitive to UV-C compared to UV-B. The decrease in productivity was correlated with the exposure time, reaching the lowest value after 30 minutes (57.23% for carbohydrate content and 36.25% for oxygen evolution). On the other hand, the usage of polyethylene films alleviates the negative effect of UV radiation. This alleviation percentage was more evident against UV-C (8.07% for carbohydrate content and 20.91% for oxygen evolution after exposing the algae to UV radiation + polyethylene films for 30 minutes).

The study was conducted during 2017 in the laboratories of the department of Botany at Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria. The effect of ultraviolet radiation (UV-C and UV-B) for different periods (0.5, 1, 3, 5, 15, 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes) on the photosynthetic pigments of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was studied. The results showed that chlorophyll pigments were more sensitive to UV-C compared to UV-B. These reductions were correlated with the increase in the exposure time, reaching the lowest value after 60 minutes exposure (96.36, 90.94% for chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b when measured after 24 hours respectively).

Anthocyanins are coloured water-soluble pigments representing one of the major subclasses of compounds. They rarely exist in nature as free aglycons, instead, they attach to one or more sugar moieties. Anthocyanins are found within different plant organs; flowers, leaves, fruits, roots, tubers and grains. They appear in different attractive colours depending on their structure, pH, and other factors. These compounds gained a lot of attention in the last few years as food colourants replacing chemical dyes, besides their role in enhancing plant tolerance against many abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, excessive light, ultraviolet radiation and cold stress. Besides, previous studies demonstrated the importance of anthocyanins in human health and their protective properties against chronic diseases. Hence, this review focuses on anthocyanins as one of the most important pigments having beneficial roles in health for plants and humans.

Over the past few decades, anthropogenic activities contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer, which increased the levels of solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation reaching the Earth`s surface. Generally, UV-B is harmful to all living organisms. It damages the cell`s Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), proteins, and lipids, and as a consequence, it affects the bio-membranes negatively. In this review, we summarize the major effects of UV-B in the plant`s main molecules and physiological reactions, in addition to the possible defence mechanisms against UV-B including accumulating UV-B absorbing pigments to alleviate the harmful impact of UV-B.

This study is based on an electronic questionnaire about the use of antibiotics. It investigates the knowledge about antibiotics and their resistance among the Syrian coastal people. 639 individuals responded to the questionnaire. The results show that there is fairly good information about those drugs. Yet, there is much to be done to spread the awareness in the whole community, especially with regards to enact laws that prohibit antibiotics purchase without a prescription. Doctors on the other hand, should give antibiotics only on necessity. People also have to be well educated about antibiotics resistance, which is an inevitable consequence to the misuse of those drugs. Keywords: Antibiotics, Misuse, Resistance, Awareness, Infection. Keyword : Antibiotics, Misuse, Resistance, Awareness, Infection.

The study included an epidemiological survey of cancer cases in the Syrian Arab Republic for the period between 2008-2012. The study was conducted according to international standards established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the International Association of Cancer Records (IACR). The data were collected and classified according to age, gender, place of incidence and city of residence. Then they were scheduled, graphically illustrated, and statistically analysed. 46447 new cancer cases were reported during the period of study; 24240 cases among males, 22207 cases among females and 2008 cases between children (<15 years old). The data showed an increase in the new reported cases between 2008 and 2010, and that increment was followed by a decline in the total reported cases until 2012. The survey indicated that breast cancer was the most common type of cancer among females, while lung cancer was the most widespread among males. As for children, the h...

Plant pigments exist in varied forms, some with highly complex chemical structures. Chlorophylls represent the most important natural plant pigments. They are the green pigments that contribute in photosynthesis, and they are found in all the organisms preforming this process. Chlorophylls are complex liposoluble organic compounds, consisting of a porphyrin ring (tetrapyrroles macrocycle) with a central magnesium atom, a cyclopentanone ring and a side phytol chain. Two forms of chlorophylls (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b) are embedded within the thylakoid membranes of higher plants" chloroplasts. Chlorophylls have various semi-synthetic derivatives, and chlorophyllins are the most studied among them. The synthesis of different chlorophyllins occurs by removing the phytol chain to increase the solubility in water, and replacing the central magnesium by a divalent cation such as copper, iron or zinc, which is important to retain the green colour of the pigments. Decades ago, human have taken chlorophylls to treat many medical conditions. In this review, we will summarize the potential health benefits and side effects for chlorophylls and their derivatives.