Histopathological effects of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant in the midgut of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and improvement of its insecticidal efficiency

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The present investigation aimed to throw light on the effect of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant on the third larval instars of the Mediterranean...     

Relationship between MALDI-TOF analysis of beta-CN f193-209 concentration and sensory evaluation of bitterness intensity of aged cheddar cheese

An internal standard method was previously developed to measure the concentration of a synthetic bitter peptide, beta-CN f193-209, by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between beta-CN f193-209 concentration in an aqueous extract of aged Cheddar cheese and bitterness intensity of the cheese. Concentrations of beta-CN f193-209 in cheese extracts were determined by MALDI-TOF at 0, 120, 180, and 270 days. Trained panels evaluated the bitterness intensity of the cheeses at 180 and 270 days. Correlation coefficients between MALDI and sensory data at 180 and 270 days were 0.803 and 0.554, respectively. The decreased correlation may be due to the presence of other bitter peptides more responsible for bitterness at longer aging or the production of compounds that mask bitterness intensity.     

Application of GA3, AVG and choline chloride to peach trees: Effects on nutritional status of fruit

This research was aimed to determine the effects of plant regulators such as gibberellic acid (GA₃), aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), and choline chloride (CC) on the nutrient components in the fruit of ‘Monroe’ peach under Isparta in Turkey ecological condition. AVG at doses of 0, 100, 150 and 200 ppm, GA₃ at doses of 0, 100, 200, 300 ppm and CC at doses of 0, 1000, 2000, 3000 pmm was sprayed on the peaches 7, 21 and 30 days before commercial harvests. All concentrations of AVG treatments were found to increase the amount of nitrogen in fruits. In general, it was observed that CC and GA₃ applications reduced the amount of calcium in fruits, however, AVG applications were found to not be effective. In the first year, the statistically significant of AVG treatments was seen on magnesium content only. It was determined in our study that AVG and CC treatments reduced copper content in peach fruits, all applications decreased the amount of manganese, 100 ppm AVG application increased the element zinc, and all of CC applications minimized the amount of that element.     

The effect of alkaline‐stabilized–sludge application on the microbiological quality of soil and leachate

The influences of fly ash and fly‐ash–quicklime‐treated‐sludge mixtures (with fly‐ash doses of 40%, 80%, and 120% on dry‐weight basis) on the microbial numbers in soil and leachate were investigated by using 60 cm soil columns. Heterotrophic bacteria and total coliform numbers were determined in soil and leachate samples following an artificial rainfall event. The results indicated that land application of untreated sludge and fly‐ash–sludge mixtures appear to introduce large numbers of bacteria to leachates and soil. Although the numbers in leachates and soils were found to decrease with increasing ash ratios, they were still all significantly above the control levels. Application of alkaline‐stabilized and pasteurized sludge did not increase bacterial numbers significantly in soil and leachate. Distribution of heterotrophic bacteria through soil profile clearly showed no increase in soils amended with alkaline‐stabilized and pasteurized sludges. Additionally, no significant inhibitory effect of lignite fly ash on soil microbial population was observed.     

Nanosized water treatment residuals improve water retention and phytoavailability of P and Al in biosolids-amended soil

Abstract

Two lysimeter experiments were conducted to evaluate the impacts of biosolids and drinking water treatment residual nanoparticles (nWTRs) on phosphorus and aluminum phytoavailability and yield of corn plants. Two consecutive experiments were conducted with different application rates of biosolids (0% and 3%) and nWTRs (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%). The results revealed that the total biomass production (grain plus stover) increased significantly (p?<?.05) as a result of nWTRs application at 0.1% rate. Application of nWTRs to biosolids-treated soil slightly decreased yield at 0.2% and 0.3% application rates. The best combination ratio between nWTRs and biosolids at which high corn yield is 0.1% nWTRs to 3% biosolids. Application of 3% biosolids significantly increased bioavailable P in the studied soil, but application of 0.3% nWTRs significantly decreased the bioavailable P concentrations in soil in the two seasons of cultivation. Application of nWTRs at 0.1% and 0.2% rates decreased soil pH in the soil treated with 3% biosolids in first and second seasons of cultivation in comparison with control treatment. The application of nWTRs greatly and significantly (p?<?.05) increased the water-holding capacity of studied soil treated with and without biosolids.     

Morphological characteristics of the forebrain in the donkey (Equus asinus): A compared atlas of magnetic resonance imaging and cross-sectional anatomy

The brain is the most essential part of the central nervous system which regulates and coordinates all body activities. Based on its phylogenetic development from the neural tube, the brain is divided into rhombencephalon (hindbrain), mesencephalon (midbrain) and prosencephalon (forebrain). The present study is achieved to describe the morphological characteristics of the normal forebrain in the donkey using the matched magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cross-sectional anatomy. Ten cadaveric heads of healthy adult donkeys of both sexes were used. Two heads were examined using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner, and the brains of the other heads were gently extracted; six brains were sectioned into transverse, dorsal and sagittal slices, and two brains were grossly inspected. MR images were selected in correlation to their closely corresponding gross sections. Both cross-sectional anatomy and MRI scans showed extensive gyration of the neocortex. The forebrain structures appeared with variable intensities on three sequences, Flair, T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI, enabling comprehensive evaluation of the relevant neuroanatomical structures. The present study provided a precise neuroanatomical atlas of the forebrain in the donkey which could help in the quick and efficient interpretation of clinical diseases of the forebrain, localization of the forebrain functions and evolutionary neurobiology.     

Effect of embryo quality and developmental stages on pregnancy rate during fresh embryo transfer in beef heifers

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of embryo quality and developmental stages on pregnancy rate in beef heifer recipients. The present...     

Evaluation of the factors that affect the pregnancy rates during embryo transfer in beef heifers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the transfer side, transfer location, cervix transfer score, type and diameter of corpus luteum (CL) during embryo transfer on pregnancy rates in beef heifers. Progesterone-based synchronization and superovulation protocol were applied to Simmental cows used as donors (n = 168). Uterine flushings were performed on day 7 following artificial insemination. Obtained Code I (excellent or good) and II (fair) quality embryos were transferred to recipient beef heifers (n = 561). During embryo transfer, side of transfer (right or left), transfer location (the cranial or middle third of uterine horn), cervix transfer score (easy, moderate or difficult) and type (CLa, CLb and CLc) and diameter of CL were determined. Pregnancy rates following the transfer of Code I and II embryos were 44.66% and 33.07%, respectively (p < .05). The rates of pregnancy after transfers to the right and left uterine horn were 37% and 42.2%, respectively (p > .05). The pregnancy rates were 41.2%, 34.9% and 30.3% for cervix transfer scores as easy, moderate and difficult, respectively (p > .05). Pregnancy rates after transfer to the cranial third and middle third were 41.06% and 29.67%, respectively (p < .05). According to types of CL, pregnancy rates were 31.7%, 40.4% and 45.3% for CLa, CLb and CLc, respectively (p < .05). Moreover, it was found that as the CL diameter increased, the pregnancy rates increased. As a result, it was concluded that there was no effect of side of transfer and cervix transfer score, but embryo quality, transfer location, type and diameter of CL had significant effects on the pregnancy rate during embryo transfer in beef heifers.     

Evaluation of IGF-I levels and serum protein profiles of diabetic cats and dogs

In this study, we measured the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels and evaluated the serum protein profiles of diabetic, insulin-treated, and healthy cats and dogs. The total IGF-I concentrations were 33.74 ± 3.4 ng/mL for normal, 25.8 ± 4.5 ng/mL for diabetic, and 180.4 ± 31.4 ng/mL for insulin-treated cats. IGF-I concentrations were 46.4 ± 6.6 ng/mL for normal, 25.1 ± 4.1 ng/mL for diabetic, and 303.0 ± 61.3 ng/mL for insulin-treated dogs. Total serum protein profiles were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Fourteen bands ranging from 25 to 240 kDa in size were observed for cats, and 17 bands ranging from 25 to 289 kDa were observed for dogs. The densities of the bands differed among control, diabetic, and insulin-treated animals. In conclusion, we found that serum protein profiles and IGF-I concentrations were altered in both diabetic and insulin-treated animals. When judiciously interpreted in the light of other clinical and laboratory data, the techniques used in our study provide a valuable modality for measuring the severity of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats.     

Physiological response of onion plants to foliar application of putrescine and glutamine

Two field experiments were carried out in Egypt during two successive seasons (2007/2008 and 2008/2009). This study aimed to investigate the response of growth, yield quality and some metabolic constituents of onion (Allium cepa L. cv. ‘Giza 20’) to foliar application of putrescine (Put; 25, 50 and 100 mg L⁻¹) and glutamine (Glut; 50, 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹), the former a diamine and the latter an amino acid, either alone, or in combination. Foliar application of Put and Glut, either alone or in combination, significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight of leaves/plant, fresh and dry weight/plant, leaf area, leaf area/plant, bulb length, bulb diameter and weight, as well as yield of onion and quality of bulbs. Total soluble sugars, sulfur compounds, total soluble phenols, total free amino acids and total photosynthetic pigment content in leaves were increased by increasing Put and/or Glut concentrations up to 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Generally, foliar application of Put at 100 mg L⁻¹ and Glut at 200 mg L⁻¹ singly, or combined, effectively increased bulb yield and quality. In conclusion, the yield-contributing characters and quality of onion could be improved by application of Put and/or Glut.