Detection,isolation and characterization of cowpea mosaic virus in Egypt

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Cowpea mosaic virus is among the most economically important viruses infecting cowpea. Incidence of infection was assessed in two governorates in Egypt,...     

Association of TALS developmental disorder with defect in minor splicing component U4atac snRNA

The spliceosome, a ribonucleoprotein complex that includes proteins and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), catalyzes RNA splicing through intron excision and exon ligation to produce mature messenger RNAs, which, in turn serve as templates for protein translation. We identified four point mutations in the U4atac snRNA component of the minor spliceosome in patients with brain and bone malformations and unexplained postnatal death [microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type 1 (MOPD 1) or Taybi-Linder syndrome (TALS); Mendelian Inheritance in Man ID no. 210710]. Expression of a subgroup of genes, possibly linked to the disease phenotype, and minor intron splicing were affected in cell lines derived from TALS patients. Our findings demonstrate a crucial role of the minor spliceosome component U4atac snRNA in early human development and postnatal survival.     

Kinetic and Equilibrium Modeling for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Citrus reticulata Waste Biomass

The pulp left after the extraction of juice from Citrus reticulate (kinnow), is a waste material, which was used as a potential sorbent for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the present study. The effect of experimental parameters such as pH, biosorbent dosage, biosorbent particle size, initial metal concentrations, temperature, shaking speed and sorption time on the Cr removal is apparent from the obtained results. The Freundlich isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic models fitted well to the data of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) biosorption by Citrus reticulata waste biomass. Effect of several pretreatments such as gases, natural coagulant and many other chemicals on Cr(III) and Cr(VI) sorption capacity of Citrus reticulata waste biomass was first time analyzed in the present study. The metal sorption capacity of Citrus reticulata waste biomass after a specific pretreatment was not only related to the nature of chemical but also strongly dependent on the oxidation state of the metal.     

Bioefficacy of compounds from Dittrichia viscosa (Asteraceae) as protectant of chickpea seeds against the cowpea seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The efficacy of four bi- and tri-cyclic sesquiterpenes, namely inuloxins A, B and C and α-costic acid, extracted from aerial parts of Dittrichia...     

Impregnation of zinc oxide mediated chitosan nano-composites on polyester fabric for performance characteristics

Present study dealt with the fabrication of chitosan/zinc oxide nano-composites (CZNCs) using a facile preparation method. The structural features of nano-composites were investigated by using advanced analytical techniques. The developed nano-composites exhibited hexagonal structural pattern with an average particle size of about 51 nm. The developed CZNCs were dispersed in 2-propanol and applied on polyester by using the pad-dry-cure method. The treated fabric specimens were characterized for surface, functional and textile properties including antibacterial activity and (ultra violet) UV- blocking. The nano-composite treated polyester fabric exhibited durable antibacterial, UV- blocking and textile properties with fair whiteness index.     

Effect of salinity on tissue nutrient contents of the four dryland tree species of Indus flood plains

Salinity is a common issue of semi-arid and arid lands rendering them unfit for agriculture. Saline wastelands can be converted into productive ecosystems by rehabilitating them with salt tolerant native tree species. The objective of this work was to study the effect of NaCl salinity on tissue nutrient contents of the four dryland tree species. Saplings were grown in pots under nonsaline and high salinity conditions. After eighteen weeks the plants were harvested and their tissue nutrient contents were analyzed. Results revealed that all species accumulated high amounts of Na⁺ under saline conditions, while concentrations of N, P and Mg²⁺ decreased in their tissues. Concentrations of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ showed more variable trend in various tissues in response to increase in soil salinity. Na⁺: K⁺ ratios of roots (1.57), stems (1.27), and leaves (1.66) of salinized Salvadora oleoides plants were lowest among all the four species. Root Na⁺: K⁺ ratio of salinized plants was significantly higher for Prosopis cineraria (7.10), while these ratios for stem (1.85) and leaf (3.42) were highest for Tamarix aphylla. Plants of P. cineraria showed lowest Stem-Na⁺/root-Na⁺ ratio (0.30) when subjected to salinity. Results showed that salinity induces nutrient deficiency in all species. Salinity tolerance of these species can be attributed to their ability to (i) restrict translocation of Na⁺ from roots to stem; (ii) keeping low tissue Na⁺: K⁺ ratios; and (iii) selectivity of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ over Na⁺, and can be used for the screening of salt-tolerant ecotypes for the rehabilitation of saline wastelands.     

Salinity tolerance of earthworms and effects of salinity and vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor

Salinity is a major factor limiting irrigated agriculture in arid regions. Vermi amendments can be used for improving the fertility of salt-affected soils. Current study was aimed to find out the response of different earthworm species to soil salinity and to check the effects of salinity and different vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor under salt stress. Eight earthworm species were subjected to different salinity levels for 4 weeks. Various vermi amendments and salinity treatments were provided in a factorial combination to S. bicolor plants to see their effect on growth and biomass parameters. L. mauritii, E. incommodus and P. posthuma were found to be the most salt-tolerant species showing good survival and growth till soil EC_e value of 10.48 mS cm^?1. Results showed that salinity significantly decreased plant growth that was enhanced by the application of different vermi amendments. Maximum growth of S. bicolor was recorded when vermicompost and vermiwash were used together under both saline and non-saline conditions. The results showed that the application of vermi amendments improved nutritional balance of the soil, delayed salt-induced damage to the plants and supported their growth so can be helpful in increasing crop production on saline soils.     

Determination of annual reproductive cycle in male sterlet,Acipenser ruthenus using histology and ultrasound imaging

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal testicular development in the cultured sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus. During annual sexual cycle of male sterlet,...     

Novel technique for definite blastomere inhibition and distribution of maternal RNA in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus embryo

Fisheries Science - The cleavage pattern of a vertebrate’s embryo is either holoblastic (complete) or meroblastic (partial). Sturgeon and other basal bony fishes represent a transition of the...