Abstract Every scientist at the beginning of his professional career inevitably encounters difficulties in developing scientific publications. These obstacles are often related with the preparation of the introductory section, which relies on existing research and from the mastery of various statistical approaches, understanding results and their interpretation. The aim of this study is to assess to what extent ChatGPT can streamline the process of writing scientific publications in the field of plant breeding and how it can be beneficial as an auxiliary tool. ChatGPT cannot entirely write the introductory section for you, but it can generate adequate ideas and fundamental aspects that the author can utilize and further develop for the elaboration of this part. ChatGPT can perform basic statistical analyses commonly used in such studies, which adequately align with the developments implemented in other statistical software.
{"title":"Enhancing efficiency in scientific writing in the field of plant growing: Collaborating with AI assistant ChatGPT for enhanced productivity","authors":"P. Chamurliyski","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0023","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Every scientist at the beginning of his professional career inevitably encounters difficulties in developing scientific publications. These obstacles are often related with the preparation of the introductory section, which relies on existing research and from the mastery of various statistical approaches, understanding results and their interpretation. The aim of this study is to assess to what extent ChatGPT can streamline the process of writing scientific publications in the field of plant breeding and how it can be beneficial as an auxiliary tool. ChatGPT cannot entirely write the introductory section for you, but it can generate adequate ideas and fundamental aspects that the author can utilize and further develop for the elaboration of this part. ChatGPT can perform basic statistical analyses commonly used in such studies, which adequately align with the developments implemented in other statistical software.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"10 1","pages":"73 - 81"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139297466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract The Stara planina tourist region is one of the most attractive regions for tourism in Bulgaria and one of the few that have almost year-round tourist activities. The outline of the area includes the mountain of the same name, but also the Pre-Balkan. This fact predetermines the exceptional richness and diversity of natural tourist resources. Here are some of the largest broad-leaved forests in the country, waterfalls, bizarre rock formations, etc. The relatively well-preserved natural environment is a prerequisite for the presence of exceptional biodiversity, as well as a significant number of protected areas. The region is specialized mainly in mountain tourism, including recreation, mountain trekking, rural and ecotourism. Due to the scarce tourist infrastructure, ski tourism still lags behind in its development compared to other mountain regions in the country. Very often, the Stara planina Region is primarily identified with its cultural and historical heritage, while its natural features remain in the background. Regardless of this, and as a result of the more intense tourist load, the problem of protecting natural tourist resources from the growing anthropogenic pressure is gaining special relevance. There is also an urgent need to identify and evaluate the prospects for sustainable development of the tourism industry in the region. The purpose of the present study is to valorize the natural tourist resources of the Stara planina tourist region and to provide guidelines for their sustainable use.
摘要 Stara planina 旅游区是保加利亚最具吸引力的旅游区之一,也是少数几个几乎全年都有旅游活动的地区之一。该地区的轮廓不仅包括同名的山脉,还包括前巴尔干山脉。这一事实决定了该地区拥有异常丰富和多样的自然旅游资源。这里有全国最大的阔叶林、瀑布、奇岩怪石等。保存相对完好的自然环境是拥有特殊生物多样性和大量保护区的先决条件。该地区主要以山地旅游为主,包括休闲、山地徒步旅行、乡村和生态旅游。由于旅游基础设施匮乏,滑雪旅游的发展仍落后于国内其他山区。很多时候,斯塔拉普兰纳地区的主要特征是其文化和历史遗产,而其自然特征仍处于次要地位。尽管如此,由于游客日益增多,保护自然旅游资源免受日益增长的人为压力的问题变得尤为重要。此外,还迫切需要确定和评估该地区旅游业的可持续发展前景。本研究的目的是评估斯塔拉普兰旅游区的自然旅游资源,并为其可持续利用提供指导。
{"title":"Natural tourist resources in the Stara planina tourist region (Bulgaria)","authors":"Dora Kabakchieva, V. Vasileva","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0021","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Stara planina tourist region is one of the most attractive regions for tourism in Bulgaria and one of the few that have almost year-round tourist activities. The outline of the area includes the mountain of the same name, but also the Pre-Balkan. This fact predetermines the exceptional richness and diversity of natural tourist resources. Here are some of the largest broad-leaved forests in the country, waterfalls, bizarre rock formations, etc. The relatively well-preserved natural environment is a prerequisite for the presence of exceptional biodiversity, as well as a significant number of protected areas. The region is specialized mainly in mountain tourism, including recreation, mountain trekking, rural and ecotourism. Due to the scarce tourist infrastructure, ski tourism still lags behind in its development compared to other mountain regions in the country. Very often, the Stara planina Region is primarily identified with its cultural and historical heritage, while its natural features remain in the background. Regardless of this, and as a result of the more intense tourist load, the problem of protecting natural tourist resources from the growing anthropogenic pressure is gaining special relevance. There is also an urgent need to identify and evaluate the prospects for sustainable development of the tourism industry in the region. The purpose of the present study is to valorize the natural tourist resources of the Stara planina tourist region and to provide guidelines for their sustainable use.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"51 1","pages":"25 - 52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139299378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Environmental competence is a category related to environmental awareness, environmental culture, environmental ethics and environmental behaviour and is a key competence. An efficient way to build a public awareness of environmental responsibility is to separate waste, a concept that is now widespread across Europe. Project work is an integrative strategy that provides opportunities for cooperation and interaction between students in the team organization of cognitive activity, realizing the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical activity of students, for conducting active training of students and effective socialization of the training, thus increasing the practical focus of the acquired knowledge and competences. The article presents results following the application of the project method as an opportunity to increase the environmental competence of junior high school students, with regards to sustainable waste management at school and in their households.
{"title":"The ability to form environmental competence throughout Waste management","authors":"Klaida Doychinova","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Environmental competence is a category related to environmental awareness, environmental culture, environmental ethics and environmental behaviour and is a key competence. An efficient way to build a public awareness of environmental responsibility is to separate waste, a concept that is now widespread across Europe. Project work is an integrative strategy that provides opportunities for cooperation and interaction between students in the team organization of cognitive activity, realizing the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical activity of students, for conducting active training of students and effective socialization of the training, thus increasing the practical focus of the acquired knowledge and competences. The article presents results following the application of the project method as an opportunity to increase the environmental competence of junior high school students, with regards to sustainable waste management at school and in their households.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"1 1","pages":"53 - 72"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139304178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial Note: Rhodopes Mountains - a fairy tale in green – Part III (Western Rhodopes)","authors":"D. Zahariev.","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0018","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"16 1","pages":"1 - 5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139297665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vanya Koleva, A. Dragoeva, Zheni Dimitrova, Stefani Toshkova, Mariya Rogova
Abstract Current studies are focused on medicinal plants secondary metabolites as a source of new anticancer agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro influence of methanolic extracts of Achillea thracica Velen. from natural habitat, in vitro propagated and ex vitro established plants on tumor cells proliferation/viability. All extract tested (50 µg/ml for 24 hours) significantly inhibited SK-HEP-1 cell line proliferation/viability (Р ≤ 0.05). The inhibitory effect of ex vitro established plants was slightly weaker in comparison with A. thracica grown in its natural habitat. So, ex situ conservation of A. thracica enables an opportunity to explore its valuable phytochemicals.
摘要 目前的研究重点是将药用植物次生代谢物作为新抗癌剂的来源。本研究旨在评估从自然生境、体外繁殖和体外培育的植物中提取的蓍草甲醇提取物对肿瘤细胞增殖/存活率的体外影响。所有测试的提取物(50 µg/ml,24 小时)都能明显抑制 SK-HEP-1 细胞株的增殖/存活率(Р ≤ 0.05)。与在自然栖息地生长的 A. thracica 相比,体外培育植物的抑制作用稍弱。因此,对 A. thracica 的异地保护为探索其宝贵的植物化学物质提供了机会。
{"title":"Anticancer activity of Achillea thracica Velen. methanol extracts","authors":"Vanya Koleva, A. Dragoeva, Zheni Dimitrova, Stefani Toshkova, Mariya Rogova","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0020","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Current studies are focused on medicinal plants secondary metabolites as a source of new anticancer agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro influence of methanolic extracts of Achillea thracica Velen. from natural habitat, in vitro propagated and ex vitro established plants on tumor cells proliferation/viability. All extract tested (50 µg/ml for 24 hours) significantly inhibited SK-HEP-1 cell line proliferation/viability (Р ≤ 0.05). The inhibitory effect of ex vitro established plants was slightly weaker in comparison with A. thracica grown in its natural habitat. So, ex situ conservation of A. thracica enables an opportunity to explore its valuable phytochemicals.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"1 1","pages":"21 - 24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139292901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. is included in the List of Top 10 of the worst invasive alien plant species in Bulgaria. This is the fastest spreading species of the four species of the Opuntia genus found so far in natural habitats in Bulgaria. In the period 2010-2023, 3 new localities of the species were established in 3 new floristic regions of Bulgaria: Black Sea Coast (North), Stara Planina (East) and Strandzha Mountain. They describe the northernmost and easternmost distribution limits of the species in Bulgaria. The described localities are different in area: from 0.08 ha to 21.11 ha. The characteristics of the abiotic environment are presented such as: slope, exposure, elevation, bedrock, soil, climatic region and subregion. The habitats in which individuals of the species are found are indicated. Accompanying plant species were studied. The spatial structure of O. humifusa populations was studied. The reasons for the appearance and spread of this invasive alien plant species in territories that have not been inhabited by it until now have been examined, considering that these reasons are not natural, but have an anthropogenic character. Our findings support the opinions of other researchers about the key role of nature lovers in the spread of this invasive species. Factors favoring the increase in population size in established localities are indicated. Methods have been proposed to control the spread of the species.
{"title":"Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. (Cactaceae) in the Bulgarian flora","authors":"D. Zahariev.","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. is included in the List of Top 10 of the worst invasive alien plant species in Bulgaria. This is the fastest spreading species of the four species of the Opuntia genus found so far in natural habitats in Bulgaria. In the period 2010-2023, 3 new localities of the species were established in 3 new floristic regions of Bulgaria: Black Sea Coast (North), Stara Planina (East) and Strandzha Mountain. They describe the northernmost and easternmost distribution limits of the species in Bulgaria. The described localities are different in area: from 0.08 ha to 21.11 ha. The characteristics of the abiotic environment are presented such as: slope, exposure, elevation, bedrock, soil, climatic region and subregion. The habitats in which individuals of the species are found are indicated. Accompanying plant species were studied. The spatial structure of O. humifusa populations was studied. The reasons for the appearance and spread of this invasive alien plant species in territories that have not been inhabited by it until now have been examined, considering that these reasons are not natural, but have an anthropogenic character. Our findings support the opinions of other researchers about the key role of nature lovers in the spread of this invasive species. Factors favoring the increase in population size in established localities are indicated. Methods have been proposed to control the spread of the species.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"24 1","pages":"1 - 20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139296500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract This comprehensive ethnobotanical study was conducted along the North Black Sea coast area to find of the extent to which indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and their relation to Bulgarian traditions and customs is preserved. We aim to identify the tendencies of passing this knowledge to future generations. The survey was conducted in 2015 in various urban and rural North Black Sea coast areas, using a face-to-face interviews technique. We used the Chi-square test to analyse the results. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the assessment of the impact of demographics on respondents' answers. More than half of the respondents (61.08%) are not familiar with rituals and traditional practices related to medicinal plants. Moderate influence on respondents' answers is rendered by age only. For the local population of the North Black Sea coast, Enyovden turns out to be the most popular holiday related to medicinal plants. Enyovden is the herbalists' feast and is cited by 20% of respondents. The same percentage of interviewees mention Geranium spp. and Ocimum basilicum L. as the most favoured herbs related to local traditions and customs. Traditional knowledge of the relation between Bulgarian rituals and customs to medicinal plants and their magical powers is fading.
{"title":"Traditional Knowledge of Medicinal Plants in Relation to Local Customs and Practices of the North Black Sea Coast Population","authors":"D. Cherneva, Dobri Ivanov","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This comprehensive ethnobotanical study was conducted along the North Black Sea coast area to find of the extent to which indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and their relation to Bulgarian traditions and customs is preserved. We aim to identify the tendencies of passing this knowledge to future generations. The survey was conducted in 2015 in various urban and rural North Black Sea coast areas, using a face-to-face interviews technique. We used the Chi-square test to analyse the results. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the assessment of the impact of demographics on respondents' answers. More than half of the respondents (61.08%) are not familiar with rituals and traditional practices related to medicinal plants. Moderate influence on respondents' answers is rendered by age only. For the local population of the North Black Sea coast, Enyovden turns out to be the most popular holiday related to medicinal plants. Enyovden is the herbalists' feast and is cited by 20% of respondents. The same percentage of interviewees mention Geranium spp. and Ocimum basilicum L. as the most favoured herbs related to local traditions and customs. Traditional knowledge of the relation between Bulgarian rituals and customs to medicinal plants and their magical powers is fading.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"10 1","pages":"55 - 66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69180462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract This work aims to analyze the quality of groundwater in the riparian areas of the bauxitic plateaus of N'Dangara and Boundou Wandé in operation by the CBG (Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée). The geology of the study area consists mainly of sedimentary formations of the Devonian faro, Neogene and Quaternary. Three water measurement and sampling campaigns on the two plateaus were carried out with determination of piezometric measurements and physic-chemical parameters. This study showed that the general flow direction of groundwater is dispersed. The flows at Boundou Wandé are from the center of the plateau to the north and that at N'Dangara is from the center to the south and southwest. It can be seen that the direction of groundwater flow reflects overall the relief of the deposit conditioned by its geomorphological framework. It emerges from the analysis of physical and chemical parameters that well water is consumable. However, the water from wells MW15, MW16, MW17, MW18 and MW21 with a low pH (4.84 to 5.13) may present a certain nuisance for its consumption and because it can be corrosive. Analysis of the Piper diagram showed two hydrogeochemical facies (calcium and magnesium bicarbonate facies and sodium and potassium carbonate facies). However, this study strongly suggests continuous monitoring of groundwater in and around the study area in order to meet the demand for water supply to communities without compromising the ability of future generations to meet water quality requirements.
摘要本工作旨在分析CBG (Compagnie des Bauxites de guinacei)运营的N'Dangara和Boundou wand铝土矿高原河岸地区的地下水质量。研究区地质主要为泥盆系法鲁、新近系和第四纪沉积组。在两个高原上进行了三次水测量和采样活动,并确定了压力测量和物理化学参数。研究表明,地下水总体流向是分散的。Boundou wand的水流是从高原中心向北流,而N'Dangara的水流是从高原中心向南和西南流。可以看出,地下水流动方向总体上反映了受地貌格局制约的沉积物起伏程度。通过对井水理化参数的分析可知,井水具有消耗性。然而,来自MW15、MW16、MW17、MW18和MW21井的水pH值较低(4.84至5.13),可能会对饮用造成一定的滋扰,因为它可能具有腐蚀性。Piper图分析显示两种水文地球化学相(碳酸氢钙镁相和碳酸钠钾相)。然而,本研究强烈建议对研究区内及其周围的地下水进行持续监测,以便在不影响后代满足水质要求的情况下满足社区供水需求。
{"title":"Hydrogeochemical characterization of the areas of exploitation of the CBG sites: cas of the plateaus of N'Dangara and Boundou Wandé, Sous-préfecture de Sangarédi, Prefecture of Boké, Republic of Guinea","authors":"Y. Diallo, A. Konaté","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This work aims to analyze the quality of groundwater in the riparian areas of the bauxitic plateaus of N'Dangara and Boundou Wandé in operation by the CBG (Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée). The geology of the study area consists mainly of sedimentary formations of the Devonian faro, Neogene and Quaternary. Three water measurement and sampling campaigns on the two plateaus were carried out with determination of piezometric measurements and physic-chemical parameters. This study showed that the general flow direction of groundwater is dispersed. The flows at Boundou Wandé are from the center of the plateau to the north and that at N'Dangara is from the center to the south and southwest. It can be seen that the direction of groundwater flow reflects overall the relief of the deposit conditioned by its geomorphological framework. It emerges from the analysis of physical and chemical parameters that well water is consumable. However, the water from wells MW15, MW16, MW17, MW18 and MW21 with a low pH (4.84 to 5.13) may present a certain nuisance for its consumption and because it can be corrosive. Analysis of the Piper diagram showed two hydrogeochemical facies (calcium and magnesium bicarbonate facies and sodium and potassium carbonate facies). However, this study strongly suggests continuous monitoring of groundwater in and around the study area in order to meet the demand for water supply to communities without compromising the ability of future generations to meet water quality requirements.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"10 1","pages":"1 - 24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42727966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract The hectic pace of life and growing threat of cardiovascular, metabolic and neoplastic diseases highlight the demand for products with natural origin that could simultaneously be part of the balanced diet and improve human’s health. A promising finding in this respect is the Japanese quince – Chaenomeles japonica. It is an ancient plant with eastern origin, but the scientific knowledge about it has only recently started to build up. The aim of this review is to gather scientific data about chemical composition and biologic activities of Chaenomeles japonica and to provide an insight into the possible prophylactic and therapeutic applications of the plant. The gathered and summarized information concerning Japanese quince shows that preparations of different parts of the plant, especially fruits and leaves, possess biologic properties that could be of exceptional nutritional and medicinal value. Antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, carbohydrate metabolism-modulating activities in in vitro studies as well as safety profile, influence on neuropsychology and behavior in animal models are discussed. This review outlines the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Chaenomeles japonica, as well as the chemical composition that stands behind them, and aims to serve as a basis for further investigations of the medicinal plant’s potential.
{"title":"Chemical composition and biologic activities of different preparations of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica)","authors":"K. Moneva, S. Gancheva, S. Valcheva-Kuzmanova","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The hectic pace of life and growing threat of cardiovascular, metabolic and neoplastic diseases highlight the demand for products with natural origin that could simultaneously be part of the balanced diet and improve human’s health. A promising finding in this respect is the Japanese quince – Chaenomeles japonica. It is an ancient plant with eastern origin, but the scientific knowledge about it has only recently started to build up. The aim of this review is to gather scientific data about chemical composition and biologic activities of Chaenomeles japonica and to provide an insight into the possible prophylactic and therapeutic applications of the plant. The gathered and summarized information concerning Japanese quince shows that preparations of different parts of the plant, especially fruits and leaves, possess biologic properties that could be of exceptional nutritional and medicinal value. Antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, carbohydrate metabolism-modulating activities in in vitro studies as well as safety profile, influence on neuropsychology and behavior in animal models are discussed. This review outlines the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Chaenomeles japonica, as well as the chemical composition that stands behind them, and aims to serve as a basis for further investigations of the medicinal plant’s potential.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"10 1","pages":"39 - 54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45393365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Throughout a long historical period, the natural resources of the world have been managed by different human communities. Living within the boundaries of their own ecosystems forces people to develop a deep knowledge of managing their natural resources. Whether they and their children will survive directly depends on their behavior. People have given the land and natural resources a social and symbolic value that goes beyond their immediate use value. This symbolism is based on ecological principles and supports a system of ethical, social and economic rules that are adaptive. This means that these principles and rules help human communities prevent the overexploitation of natural resources, preserve their connections with the surrounding ecosystems, so that people can live within the limits imposed by the availability of resources and technology. Over the course of the last few generations, however, the world's diversity of cultures, along with their adaptations to local environmental conditions, has been rapidly disintegrating under the influence of a new, global culture characterized by extremely high levels of consumption. Economic growth based on fossil fuel energy led to the rapid development of industry and international trade, and improved lifestyles as well as advances in health care led to rapid growth in human population and consumption. As a consequence, the search for new ways of extracting resources, involving powerful machines and efficient technologies, which absorb the traditions of conservation of nature built by local human communities during their long historical experience of survival, is intensified. Mechanisms developed as adaptations to the environment over hundreds of years are rapidly breaking down as a result of globalization, thereby freeing humans from their traditional environmental constraints.
{"title":"Natural Resources. Cycle of substances in nature. Implementation of ecological education and formation of ecological culture in the studies of “Man and Nature” and “Chemistry and Environmental Protection”","authors":"Radostina Strahilova Vasileva-Tcankova","doi":"10.2478/asn-2023-0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0015","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Throughout a long historical period, the natural resources of the world have been managed by different human communities. Living within the boundaries of their own ecosystems forces people to develop a deep knowledge of managing their natural resources. Whether they and their children will survive directly depends on their behavior. People have given the land and natural resources a social and symbolic value that goes beyond their immediate use value. This symbolism is based on ecological principles and supports a system of ethical, social and economic rules that are adaptive. This means that these principles and rules help human communities prevent the overexploitation of natural resources, preserve their connections with the surrounding ecosystems, so that people can live within the limits imposed by the availability of resources and technology. Over the course of the last few generations, however, the world's diversity of cultures, along with their adaptations to local environmental conditions, has been rapidly disintegrating under the influence of a new, global culture characterized by extremely high levels of consumption. Economic growth based on fossil fuel energy led to the rapid development of industry and international trade, and improved lifestyles as well as advances in health care led to rapid growth in human population and consumption. As a consequence, the search for new ways of extracting resources, involving powerful machines and efficient technologies, which absorb the traditions of conservation of nature built by local human communities during their long historical experience of survival, is intensified. Mechanisms developed as adaptations to the environment over hundreds of years are rapidly breaking down as a result of globalization, thereby freeing humans from their traditional environmental constraints.","PeriodicalId":7171,"journal":{"name":"Acta Scientifica Naturalis","volume":"10 1","pages":"67 - 79"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46017779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}