Determination of optimum carcass weight for meat quality and fatty acid composition in fat-tailed male and female Chall lambs

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to determine the optimum carcass weight for meat quality and fatty acid composition in fat-tailed Chall lambs. Thirty lambs (15...     

Soil salinity characteristics using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) images and statistical analysis

Remote sensing is currently a tremendous asset in controlling and monitoring soil salinity. Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) images can be obtained daily, are free, offer more opportunities to acquire cloud-free images and may be preferred over high-resolution spatial data. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of MODIS imagery to assess soil properties when coupled with field soil sampling. The study area was ～95,000 ha, located in the south-east of Fars Province, Iran. In total, 240 soil samples were selected from 60 georeferenced soil pits, following a stratified random sampling approach. Sixteen spectral indices were calculated from a nadir-viewed MODIS scene to establish statistical correlation models between measured soil properties and MODIS band values. A precise map of the soil properties was produced using geostatistical techniques. A paired-sample t-test indicates that there are no significant differences between values estimated using MODIS data statistical modeling and laboratory-measured soil properties of samples collected through fieldwork. The results also indicate that image transformation (salinity index (SI) to radiance) reduces estimation errors and increases both model efficiency and the R ² of the models. The results also indicate that MODIS imagery provides useful information on soil properties.     

BREAKING SEED DORMANCY IN THE WHITE SAXAUL TREE (HALOXYLON PERSICUM BOISS. ET BUHSE) AMARANTHACEAE

Seed dormancy is an obstacle to revegetation and reclamation efforts, particularly in arid and semiarid environments. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the most effective germination pretreatment for Haloxylon persicum, a tall desert shrub or small tree. The experiment employed a completely randomized block design. Dormancy breaking treatments included scarification with 98% sulfuric acid for 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes; debracting seeds; debracting + piercing seeds; stratification for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks; and leaching seeds in flowing water for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days. Results demonstrated that scarification with 98% sulfuric acid for 10 min was the most effective treatment which increased germination from 23.3% (control) to >82.6%.     

A reduced organic carbon component in martian basalts

The source and nature of carbon on Mars have been a subject of intense speculation. We report the results of confocal Raman imaging spectroscopy on 11 martian meteorites, spanning about 4.2 billion years of martian history. Ten of the meteorites contain abiotic macromolecular carbon (MMC) phases detected in association with small oxide grains included within high-temperature minerals. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected along with MMC phases in Dar al Gani 476. The association of organic carbon within magmatic minerals indicates that martian magmas favored precipitation of reduced carbon species during crystallization. The ubiquitous distribution of abiotic organic carbon in martian igneous rocks is important for understanding the martian carbon cycle and has implications for future missions to detect possible past martian life.     

Maximizing seed germination in two Acacia species

Revegetation of disturbed land, particularly in arid environment, is often hindered by low seedling establishment. Information on seed biology and germination cues of valuable species is lacking. We investigated seed germination of two Acacia species (Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne and Acacia oerfota (Forssk) schweinf), required for nitrogen fixation and rehabilitation of arid and semi-arid areas.(four pre-germination seed treatments were applied in order to find the best treatment in germinating acacia species. The medium was L2 and three replicates were used. Seeds pre-treated with sand paper and also with H2SO4 and then H2O2 had the highest germination percentage in both species. The lowest germination percentage resulted from soaking seeds in water for 48 h followed by soaking in H2SO4 for A. oerfota and from soaking in water for 24 h for A. tortilis. Because the use of sand paper is difficult and time consuming, we recommend pre-treatment of A. tortilis and A. oerfota seeds with H2SO4 and H2O2 before planting. Our study results are significant for conservation agencies with an interest in optimizing germination in arid zones for rehabilitation and reforestation.     

Influence of dietary acetic acid,protexin (probiotic), and their combination on growth performance,intestinal microbiota,digestive enzymes,immunological parameters,and fatty acids composition in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii,Brandt, 1869)

Aquaculture International - This study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary acetic acid, probiotic protexin, and their combination on growth performance, intestinal microbiota,...     

Chlorpromazine-Induced Hyperprolactinemia on Rat’s Uterus

Background:

Hyperprolactinemia is a common side effect of antipsychotic drugs that requires further investigation. The current study was designed to evaluate dose-dependent effect of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on hormonal changes and uterine horn histological structure in rats. Moreover, the mammary glands were analyzed to show hyperprolactinemia-induced histological changes.

Methods:

Albino Wistar rats (n = 32) were divided into four groups. The first group was set as a control. In the three drug-treated groups (eight rats in each group), CPZ was administered by a gavage at doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days. One day after the last administration of the drug, the animals were sacrificed. Histopathological and histomorphometrical analyses of the uterine horns and mammary glands were carried out to evaluate dose-dependent effect of CPZ on histological structure. Serum levels of prolactin (PRL), estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also evaluated.

Results:

Remarkable (P < 0.05) elevation was observed in CPZ-administrated animals'' uterine horn endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium thicknesses, and the mammary glands were observed with galactorrhea features. The serum level of progesterone and PRL significantly (P < 0.05) increased, while the serum concentration of LH, FSH, and estradiol was notably (P < 0.05) decreased depending on administrated CPZ dose. No histological and biological changes were occurred in the control animals.

Conclusion:

The present findings suggest that CPZ-induced disturbances not only depend on PRL level and increased PRL level largely depends on administrated doses of the CPZ. Key Words: Hyperprolactinemia, Uterus, Rats     

不同立地条件下哈密大枣果园营养特征及果实品质的研究

[目的]研究不同土壤类型(沙土、沙壤土和粘土)下,不同树龄(初果期和盛果期)哈密大枣在花芽分化期、开花盛期和果实膨大期的土壤和叶片,主要营养成分及其果实品质之间的差异性.[方法]以哈密大枣作为试材,主要测定土壤有机质、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量,叶片的氮、磷、钾含量,以及果实VC、可滴定酸、可溶性糖和可溶性固形物含量.[结果]不同土壤类型不同树龄下哈密大枣果园在各物候期内0～20 cm 土层的有机质、碱解氮、速效钾和速效磷含量均明显高于20～80 cm土层;初果期三种土壤类型的哈密大枣果园在0～20 cm土层中开花盛期的有机质、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量比花芽分化期和果实膨大期较高.不同树龄不同土壤类型哈密大枣果园在不同物候期间相比,除了初果期粘土枣园开花盛期的叶片氮和钾含量均高于花芽分化期和果实膨大期以外,叶片氮和钾含量在果实膨大期均最高,而叶片磷含量在花芽分化期均最高.初果期哈密大枣果实品质在土壤类型之间比较而言,沙壤土枣园的果实VC、可滴定酸和可溶性糖含量最高,而粘土枣园的果实可溶性固形物含量较高;盛果期而言,沙土枣园的果实VC和可滴定酸含量最高,沙壤土的可溶性糖和固形物含量最高.[结论]在哈密大枣生产中,根据土壤营养情况花芽分化期要适当加大磷肥的施用比例,而果实膨大期要增加氮肥和钾肥的施用量.     

The genetic structure and aggressiveness of Fusarium pseudograminearum populations in Iran

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Crown and root rot of wheat caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum is one of the most important wheat diseases in Iran. In this study, the genetic structure...