Associations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">NAM</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">A1</Emphasis> alleles with the onset of senescence and nitrogen use efficiency under Western Australian conditions

Wheat grain yield and protein content are significantly influenced by the onset of senescence and the duration of the grain filling phase. The onset of senescence also affects Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) through interacting pathways involving N accumulation and translocation of N into the grains. The objective of this study was to relate variation in NUE and its components with two groups of the NAM-A1 gene alleles; (i) early onset of senescence in cultivars carrying the NAM-A1a allele, (ii) delayed onset of senescence in cultivars carrying the Non-NAM-A1a allele (b, c, d) in wheat cultivars grown under Western Australia conditions. A field trial was carried out over two seasons examining 19 cultivars under different N rates and time of N application. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was utilized to determine the onset of senescence after anthesis. The early onset of senescence results in high grain yield, harvest index, and NUE due to improvements in the N utilization ability. Accelerating the onset of senescence results in a short grain filling period leading to grain maturity before the onset of unfavourable summer conditions. The function of alleles of NAM-A1 gene in controlling senescence hence the NUE is highly regulated by environmental conditions. This study concluded that the function of NAM-A1a allele induces the onset of senescence with a positive effect on the NUE and its components under Western Australian conditions.     

Assessment of Biotransformation of Sludge from Vegetable Oil Refining by Composting

The evolution of organic matter of sludge from vegetable oil refining (50%) mixed with turf (40%) and straw (10%) during 6 months of composting was evaluated by physicochemical and spectroscopy analysis. The intense microbial activity is characterized by a significant increase in temperature (over 67°C) during the thermophilic phase (7 days). The final product is characterized by a decomposition rate of 50, C/N ratio about 12, NH₄⁺/NO₃^? ratio less than 1, and a neutral pH. The lipid analysis showed that total lipids decreased by 83% as a result of biodegradation of lipid compounds of the composted substrate. The degree of polymerization during composting is of about 16%, which provides information on the success of the process. The spectroscopic analysis showed a decrease of the ratios E4/E6 and E2/E6, which clearly shows the humification of organic matter. The physicochemical and spectroscopy parameters of the mixture show the stability and maturity of the final compost, which is confirmed by the germination index (60% for lettuce and turnips, and 90% for cress and lucerna). The results of the evolution of sludge from vegetable oil refining mixed with green wastes produced a mature product that can be applied in agriculture.     

Effects of Co-Application of Zeolites and Vermicompost on Speciation and Phytoavailability of Cadmium,Lead, and Zinc in a Contaminated Soil

In this study, we investigated, with pot experiments, whether combined application of zeolites and vermicompost is more effective than single application on plant growth and heavy metals’ uptake in a heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that co-application of these amendments decreased zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) availability by their redistribution from plant available forms to organic matter and metal oxide associated fractions. While, the addition of vermicompost and zeolites increased the lead (Pb) concentration significantly in the soluble/exchangeable form as compared with the control. Applying vermicompost individually or in combination with zeolites markedly increased plant biomass. Single zeolites and vermicompost reduced Zn and Pb contents of corn roots and shoots compared to un-treated soil, but less compared to the combined zeolite and vermicompost treatments. The results obtained suggest that co-application of zeolites and vermicompost could be an option for immobilizing Cd, Pb, and Zn in heavy metal contaminated soils.     

Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction Based on Modified Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for the Preconcentration of Ultra-Trace Amounts of Copper Ions in the Environmental and Plant Samples and its Determination Using FAAS

In the present work, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and modified with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as a new nanoparticle were prepared and used as an adsorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of copper ions. After adsorption, copper ions were desorbed with nitric acid (HNO₃), followed by determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The extraction conditions0. were investigated systematically. The linear range 3.0–500.0 ng mL^?1 and the detection limit of 0.6 ng mL^?1 were obtained. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method for seven replicate determinations of 0.1 µg mL^?1 of Cu(II) was 2.2%. The method was applied for the determination of Cu(II) in different water samples with good trueness. The accuracy was also evaluated through analyses of a certified reference material (CRM TMDW-500).     

Role of selenium in mitigation of cadmium toxicity in pepper grown in hydroponic condition

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans but is not considered as essential for plants. However, its beneficial role in improving plant growth and stress tolerances is well established. In order to study the role of Se in cadmium (Cd) toxicity in pepper (Capsicum frutescens cv. Suryankhi Cluster), this experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions. Treatments comprised Cd [0, 0.25, and 0.5 mM cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)] and Se [0, 3, and 7 µM sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)] with three replications. The result showed that Cd decreased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, whereas Se supplementation diminished Cd toxicity on photosynthetic pigment. Selenium at 7 µM significantly increased the leaf area in the plants grown at 0.25 mM Cd. The application of Se at 3 µM with 0.25 mM Cd and Se at 3 µM and Se at 7 µM with 0.5 mM Cd increased the activity of catalase (CAT). Selenium at 7 µM decreased the proline content of pepper leaves exposed to Cd at 0.5 mM (30%). Selenium significantly enhanced the antioxidant activity of leaves, which was diminished by Cd toxicity. In general, Se has a beneficial effect on plant growth and is an antioxidant enzyme of pepper cv. Suryankhi Cluster under Cd stress and non-stress conditions.     

Effects of dietary organic,inorganic, and nanoparticulate selenium sources on growth,hemato-immunological,and serum biochemical parameters of common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to compare the effects of supplementing (0.7 mg kg^?1) different dietary selenium (Se) sources including organic [selenomethionine (SeMet)], inorganic [sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃)], and nanoparticulate Se (nano-Se) on physiological responses of common carp, Cyprinus carpio juveniles (9.7?±?0.1 g). Basal diet without Se supplementation used as control. Fish fed nano-Se supplemented diet had the highest weight gain (97.2?±?10.8%) and feed efficiency ratio (42.4?±?0.8%). Intestinal villi height was significantly taller in fish fed nano-Se diet than in the control group in both foregut and midgut sections. Serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly higher in nano-Se and SeMet groups than in control and sodium selenite groups. Fish fed Se-supplemented diets had greater red blood cell counts and hematocrit and hemoglobin values than the control group (P?<?0.05). Nano-Se and SeMet groups showed a significant increase in white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, and serum lysozyme activity than the other groups. Fish fed nano-Se diet had the highest serum hemolytic activity, total immunoglobulin, and total protein and albumin contents, as well as the lowest serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels (P?<?0.05). Overall, significant improvements in growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal morphology, and hemato-immunological and serum biochemical parameters of common carp juveniles suggest nano-Se as an efficient source for providing dietary Se in this species.     

Effects of Bentonite Application and Urea Fertilization Time on Growth,Development and Nitrate Accumulation in Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae L.)

Under excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, vegetables can accumulate high levels of nitrate in their vegetative body and, when consumed by living organisms, pose serious health-related risks for humans. Regarding such problems, it is necessary to minimize the accumulation of nitrate in leafy vegetables. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate bentonite levels (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 g/kg soil) application and urea fertilization times (25, 50, 75 days after sowing; at the rate of 0.2 g per pot) on the growth, development and nitrate accumulation of spinach. Results showed that urea fertilization on 25 days after sowing date had the highest effect on the quality, while application of 60 gr bentonite had the highest effect on the improvement of growth parameters of spinach. The lowest nitrate and nitrite accumulation rate was observed at urea fertilization on 50 days after planting and lack of bentonite application, whereas the lowest oxalic acid content was obtained at urea fertilization on 25 days after planting in a soil without bentonite application. The results showed that implementing an appropriate rate of bentonite and urea fertilization times may bring about favorable results for spinach production.     

Increased drug concentration and repeated eye drop administration as strategies to optimize topical drug delivery: A fluorophotometric study in healthy dogs

Objectives

Determine tear film kinetics with different fluorescein concentrations and repeated eye drop administration at various time intervals.

Animals Studied

Six healthy Beagles.

Procedures

Six experiments were conducted on separate days: single eye drop administration (control) or two separate eye drops administered at 30 s, 1, 2, 5, and 10 min intervals. For each experiment, one eye received 0.3% fluorescein solution while the other eye received 1% fluorescein solution, and tear fluid was collected with capillary tubes at 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min. Fluorescein concentrations were measured using automated fluorophotometry.

Results

Compared with 0.3% solution, eyes receiving 1% fluorescein solution had significantly higher tear film concentrations (p ≤ .046) and the area-under-the-fluorescein-time curve was twofold greater (p = .005). Compared with control: (i) Tear film concentrations were significantly higher for up to 20 min when repeating administration 30 s to 5 min after the first drop (p ≤ .006); (ii) The highest increase in area-under-the-curve was obtained with 2 and 5 min intervals for 0.3% (+109%–130%) and 1% solutions (+153%–157%); (iii) The highest increase in median precorneal retention time (defined as tear film concentration < 5% from baseline values) was obtained with 5 min intervals for 0.3% (55 min vs. 15 min in control) and 2–5 min intervals for 1% solutions (50 min vs. 25 min in control).

Conclusions

Drug delivery to the ocular surface can be enhanced by using more concentrated formulations and/or by repeating eye drop administration 2–5 min after the first dose.     

Preventive factors related to brucellosis among rural population using the PRECEDE model: an application of path analysis

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The purpose of this model-based study was to identify behavioral and environmental prevention factors for brucellosis and to determine the causal linkage...     

An atypical Bacillus anthracis infection in a bull—A potential occupational health hazard

Bacillus anthracis infecting cattle is usually identified based on the typical symptom: sudden death. Bacillus anthracis causing atypical symptoms may remain undiagnosed and represent a potential occupational health hazard for, that is veterinarians and producers, butchers and tanners. In the year 2004, one case of sudden death in a dairy farm in southern Finland was diagnosed as bovine anthrax. Four years later 2008, an atypical case of anthrax was diagnosed in the same holding. The bull was taken to the Production Animal Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki because of fever, loss of appetite and a symmetrically swollen scrotal sac. Penicillin treatment cured the fever but not the swollen scrotum. Before the intended therapeutic castration, a punctuate consisting of 10 ml fluid collected into a syringe from the scrotal sac was cultivated on blood agar at 37°C. After 24 hr, an almost pure culture of a completely non‐hemolytic Bacillus cereus‐like bacteria was obtained. The strain was identified as B. anthracis using Ba‐specific primers by the Finnish Food Safety Authority (RUOKAVIRASTO). After the diagnosis, the bull was euthanized and destroyed, the personnel were treated with prophylactic antibiotics and the clinic was disinfected. In this particular case, treatment with water, Virkon S and lime seemed to be effective to eliminate endospores and vegetative cells since no relapses of anthrax have occurred in 10 years. This case is the last reported anthrax case in Finland.