Serum 5'nucleotidase activity in rats: a method for automated analysis and criteria for interpretation

A manual kit for determining serum 5'nucleotidase (5'NT, EC 3.1.3.5) activity was adapted for use with rat samples on a large discrete clinical chemistry analyzer. The precision of the method was good (within-run C.V. = 2.14%; between-run C.V. = 5.5%). A comparison of the new automated method with a manual and semi-automated method gave regression statistics of y = 1.18X -3.66 (Sy. x = 4.54), and y = 0.733X + 1.97 (Sy. x = 1.69), respectively. Temperature conversion factors provided by the kit manufacturer for human samples were determined to be inaccurate for converting results from rat samples. Analysis of components contributing to normal variation in rat serum 5'NT activity showed age and sex to be major factors. Increased serum 5'NT activity was observed in female rats when compared to male rats beginning at about 5 to 6 weeks of age. An analysis of variance of serum 5'NT, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT activities observed over a 9-week period in normal rats suggests several advantages for 5'NT as a predictor of biliary lesions in rats.     

Physiologic races ofFusarium oxysporum f.sp.melonis in the southeastern anatolia region of turkey and varietal reactions to races of the pathogen

Thirty-four isolates ofFusarium oxysporum f.sp.melonis (F.o.m.) obtained from 205 fields in melon-producing areas in the southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey were identified on the basis of colony morphology and pathogenicity by the root dip method. In this region the mean prevalence of wilt disease was 88.1% and the mean incidence of disease was 47.5%. Physiologic races 0, 1, 2, and 1,2 of the pathogen were determined by their reactions on differential melon cultivars ‘Charentais T,’ ‘Isoblon’, ‘Isovac’ and ‘Margot’ in the greenhouse. Race 1,2, representating 58.8% (20/34) of all isolates, was widely distributed. Of the other pathogenic isolates, eight were identified as race 0, five as race 1, and one as race 2. This is the first report of physiologic races ofF.o.m. in Turkey. Of 44 melon cultivars tested in the greenhouse for resistance toF.o.m. races, 36 were found to be moderately resistant to race 0, 17 were susceptible to race 1,2, 34.1% were highly resistant to race 1, and 52.2% had moderate resistance to race 2. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 16, 2002.     

A comprehensive study on occurrence records of African neglected and underutilized weed species,Cleome gynandra L. (cat's whiskers) validating the ecogeographical range expansion in West Bengal,India

Cleome gynandra L., commonly known as cat's whiskers, is an erect, branched, annual herb, belonging to the family Cleomaceae. The species is thought to have originated in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, and thereafter have spread to other tropical and subtropical countries in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Cat's whiskers is a highly nutritious vegetable and also possesses numerous medicinal values, yet it is considered as a neglected and underutilized weed species (NUS) in most of the world. In India, C. gynandra is recorded in Assam, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. There is no earlier report of this species in West Bengal, India. This report is the first record of natural occurrence of C. gynandra in West Bengal, India. The main objective of this report is to provide valid information about the invasion and naturalization of this species in a new geographical area supported with suitable data. Global distribution data of cat's whiskers was retrieved from available web resources and mapped using Quantum GIS software in order to validate the de novo nature of occurrence of this species in this region.     

Determination of Energy Use Efficiency of some Apple (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Malus x domestica</Emphasis>) Production in Turkey: a Case Study of Eğirdir Region

This research aims to make an analysis of energy use efficiency of apple (‘Starkrimson Delicious’ and ‘Golden Delicious’) production in E?irdir region of Turkey, during the production season of 2012. Production data this research was collected in 2013. In order to determine the energy use efficiency of apple, various surveys have been conducted in 71 apple farms, selected through Simple Random Sampling method, located in E?irdir region of Turkey. The data have been collected through face to face questionnaires and first hand observations. The energy input and output values in apple production have been calculated as 34,703.63 MJ ha^?1 and 95,034 MJ ha^?1, respectively. Energy inputs consist of diesel fuel energy by 29.04?%, chemical fertilizers energy by 24.28?%, machinery energy by 15.70?%, chemical energy by 9.84?%, human labor energy by 8.54?%, electricity energy by 5.63?%, irrigation energy by 3.97?%, farmyard manure energy by 2.88?% and lime energy by 0.12?%. Energy use efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy and net energy in apple production have been calculated as 2.74, 1.16 kg MJ^?1, 0.86 MJ kg^?1 and 60,330.36 MJ ha^?1, respectively. The total energy input consumed has been classified as direct, by 47.17?%, indirect, by 52.83?%, renewable, by 15.38?% and non-renewable, by 74.62?%.     

Determination of Energy Input-Output Analysis in Plum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus domestica</Emphasis> L.) Production

The aim of this research is to compose the energy input-output analysis of plum in Nevsehir province in Turkey. This research was conducted at the plum cultivating facilities during the 2015–2016 production seasons in Nevsehir province of Central Anatolian Region in Turkey. The agricultural input energies and output energies used in plum cultivation were calculated to determine the energy input-output analysis. According to the research findings, the energy inputs in plum cultivation were calculated respectively 3920?MJ ha^?1 (44.99%) chemical fertilizers energy, 1618.91?MJ ha^?1 (18.58%) diesel fuel energy, 1125.85?MJ ha^?1 (12.92%) chemicals energy, 1069.20?MJ ha^?1 (12.27%) machinery energy, 723.24?MJ ha^?1 (8.30%) human labour energy and 255?MJ ha^?1 (2.93%) irrigation water energy. Production output plum yield were calculated as 12,112.50?MJ ha^?1. The energy output/input ratio, specific energy, energy usage efficiency and net energy calculations were calculated respectively as 1.39, 1.37?MJ kg^?1, 0.73?kg MJ^?1 and 3400.30?MJ ha^?1.     

Contributing traits for nitrogen use efficiency in selected wheat genotypes and corollary between screening methodologies

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen uptake being part of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is largely decided by root traits. Root traits variability has hardly been explored by breeders mainly because of difficulties in scoring. The hydroponic system requiring lesser space for precise phenotyping of large numbers of genotypes independently of the growing season can be a suitable alternative. However, the effectiveness of hydroponic screening methods needs to be verified under the soil condition of the field or pot. In the present study, root traits and NUE were investigated in 19 genotypes under two conditions (hydroponic and pipe filled with soil). Both environments revealed large variability for root traits and NUE under high and low N conditions establishing the absence of any direct selection for these traits in the past. Under both sets of experimentation, NUpE was largely responsible for improved nitrogen efficiency mainly because of higher root biomass. The significant association between the two screening methods i.e. hydroponic and pot filled with soil under both low and high N condition support large scale screening for root traits under hydroponic condition.     

The relationship between fermentation and the morphological structure of rumen epithelium in sheep fed pelleted feeds]

Wethers were fed complete granular feed rations including 41.81% of grass hay, 25.28% of barley, 15.37% of sawdust, 14.98% of molasses, 1.32% of urea, and 1.24% of mineral supplement in dry matter for 24 weeks. Samples of the dorsal rumen sac of these wethers were subjected to patho-anatomical, histological, histo-chemical, and electron-microscopical examination. Volatile fatty acids were also determined in the rumen fluid of slaughtered animals. The control group was given the same diet in the classical form with long hay. The rumen contents of the slaughtered animals of the experimental group had an increased level of total volatile fatty acids (125.93 mM) and butyric acid (17.8 M%). The acetate:propionate ratio was 3.66. No substantial differences were observed in enzymatic activity. Electronograms recorded an increase in the number of T cells and keratinizing cells -- this suggests an increased intensity of the process of keratinization.