A comparative study on stability and decay resistance of some environmentally friendly fire-retardant boron compounds

Environmental concern accelerated development of new wood preservatives having low mammalian toxicity in addition to high protective effectiveness. PHN 130 and PHN 130 G have been developed recently by KOHMIX Ltd. in Japan as environmentally safe, fire-proof boron containing compounds. Beyond their proved fire-proof properties, stability of loaded chemical in wood at humid service conditions and decay resistance are required to be known for effective and broad use of these compounds in wood preservation. Results indicated that PHN imparted complete decay resistance to wood against brown- and white-rot fungi Tyromyces palustris and Coriolus versicolor, respectively. Protection efficacy of PHN also continued despite severe weathering conditions provided that impregnation is done by an undiluted solution. PHN 130 G appeared more effective than PHN 130 in this respect. However, both compounds were leachable from treated wood regardless of retention level or physical restriction of water access into wood by compression.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected date of receipt of the article.

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Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganesis: Tracking strains using their genetic differentiations by ISSR markers in Southern Turkey

There is no available data published related to the dissemination of bacterial canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) and its genetic diversity in Turkey. It is important to control new introduced inoculum sources by commercial seeds and seedlings. Pathogens were identified by morphological features and the identity was confirmed by PCR amplification using a specific primer PSA-4, PSA-R in addition to microbiological tests. ISSR markers showing high polymorphism ratios were selected and used to characterize Cmm strains. The collected strains were classified into different groups on the basis of ISSR-PCR fingerprints, which showed remarkable genetic specificity and diversity not previously identified in Cmm, suggesting that genetic differences are related to dissemination of the pathogen in the region. This is the first ever study carried out on the characterization of Cmm using ISSR. The selected ISSR primers to characterize Cmm can be used to determine genetic differences in further studies.     

Supercritical CO(2) extraction of beta-carotene and lycopene from tomato paste waste

Lycopene and beta-carotene were extracted from tomato paste waste using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)). To optimize supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) results for the isolation of lycopene and beta-carotene, a factorial designed experiment was conducted. The factors assessed were the temperature of the extractor (35, 45, 55, and 65 degrees C), the pressure of the extraction fluid (200, 250, and 300 bar), addition of cosolvent (5, 10, and 15% ethanol), extraction time (1, 2, and 3 h), and CO(2) flow rate (2, 4, and 8 kg/h). The total amounts of lycopene and beta-carotene in the tomato paste waste, extracts, and residues were determined by HPLC. A maximum of 53.93% of lycopene was extracted by SC-CO(2) in 2 h (CO(2) flow rate = 4 kg/h) at 55 degrees C and 300 bar, with the addition of 5% ethanol as a cosolvent. Half of the initially present beta-carotene was extracted in 2 h (flow rate = 4 kg/h), at 65 degrees C and 300 bar, also with the addition of 5% ethanol.     

Genetical-statistical analysis of traits in the German trotter

Data on 331 321 racing performances of all competing trotters in the Federal Republic of Germany have been filed since 1973. After adjusting to environmental factors, repeatabilities and heritabilities of the most important traits (racing time, money earnings and perfect gait) have been estimated. The highest degrees for repeatability (r_{between years} = 0.55?0.79) and heritability (h² = 0.21?0.49) are found in the average racing time per year. Therefore, this trait should be the main selection criterion in a practical breeding programme.     

Feed enzyme supplementation does not ameliorate foot pad dermatitis in broiler chickens fed on a corn-soyabean diet

1.?Foot Pad Dermatitis (FPD) can be a serious health, quality and welfare problem in poultry production, with a significant affect on the economics of production. The physico-chemical properties of (NSP) have been correlated with increases in excreta viscosity and adherence, and hence FPD in broiler chickens.

2.?Two broiler experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary non-starch polisaccharide (NSP) applications to corn-soyabean based diets in replicated floor pens. In addition to live performance, the incidence and severity of FPD was scored and, in experiment 2, intestinal viscosity and ammonia volatilization were measured.

3.?Live performance did not vary with the different treatments in either experiment and the incidence and severity of FPD, and ammionia volatisation in experiment 2, were unaffected. However, birds reared on enzyme supplemented diets had lower (P? 4.?In this study with corn-soyabean meal based diets, dietary enzyme supplementation had no affect on the incidence and severity of FPD. The lack of an association between the excreta viscosity and FPD is attributed to the multifactorial etiology of this condition.     

Endometrial adenocarcinoma in two young queens

Endometrial adenocarcinoma is described in two young intact female Persian cats presented with haemorrhagic vaginal discharge. The discharge had been present for 3 and 15 days in each case, respectively. On the basis of signalment, history, clinical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings a tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made in each cat and ovariohysterectomy was subsequently performed. Histological examination revealed endometrial adenocarcinoma in both cats together with ovarian luteal cysts and pyometra in one case. Immunohistochemistry revealed a diffuse and strongly positive reaction for oestrogen receptors in the nuclei of glandular epithelium in well‐differentiated areas of the neoplastic tissue. Poorly differentiated areas of solid growth pattern had weak and focal expression of oestrogen receptors. Furthermore, the neoplastic cells within these areas displayed moderate to strong diffuse nuclear staining with Ki‐67 antibody suggestive of a high proliferative capacity. The owners reported that the cats were clinically healthy 23 and 21 months after the surgery. These cases highlight the importance of histological examination of surgically resected tissue even when clinical signs and laboratory findings suggest pyometra.     

Effect of log seasonality on reproductive potential ofMonochamus galloprovincialis reared in scots pine logs under laboratory conditions

Insect reproduction may be affected by a number of factors including seasonal changes in larval or adult nutrition. The effect of season on the reproductive potential ofMonochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier) females reared inPinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) logs was investigated by constructing fertility tables for each log that differed only in the season they were cut. Population parameters were compared among three seasonal cohorts. The intrinsic rate of increase and most of the associated population parameters of beetles that emerged from logs cut during spring were higher than for beetles emerged from summer and autumn logs. Slight differences were found between summer and autumn cohorts. We suggest that seasonal differences in the nutritional quality of logs caused differences inM. galloprovincialis survival and reproductive potential. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting March 16, 2008.     

Effects of oregano essential oil with or without feed enzymes on growth performance,digestive enzyme,nutrient digestibility,lipid metabolism and immune response of broilers fed on wheat–soybean meal diets

1.?The study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of enzyme and oregano essential oil at two levels, alone or together, on performance, digestive enzyme, nutrient digestibility, lipid metabolism and immune response of broilers fed on wheat–soybean meal based diets.

2.?The following dietary treatments were used from d 0 to 21. Diet 1 (control, CONT): a commercial diet containing no enzyme or oregano essential oil, diet 2 (ENZY): supplemented with enzyme, diet 3 (EO250): supplemented with essential oil at 250 mg/kg feed, diet 4 (EO500): supplemented with essential oil at 500 mg/kg feed, diet 5 (ENZY + EO250): supplemented with enzyme and essential oil at 250 mg/kg, and diet 6 (ENZY + EO500): supplemented with enzyme and essential oil at 500 mg/kg.

3.?Birds fed on diets containing ENZY, EO250 and ENZY + EO250 had significantly higher weight gain than those given CONT diet from d 0 to 7. No significant effects on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality, organ weights except for jejunum weight and intestinal lengths was found with either enzyme or essential oil, alone or in combination, over the 21-d growth period. The supplementation of essential oil together with enzyme decreased jejunum weight compared with essential oil alone.

4.?Supplementation with enzyme significantly decreased viscosity and increased dry matter of digesta, but did not alter pH of digesta. There was no effect of essential oil alone at either concentration on viscosity, dry matter or pH of digesta. A significant decrease in viscosity of digesta appeared when essential oil was used with together enzyme.

5.?The supplementation of essential oil at both levels with or without enzyme significantly increased chymotrypsin activity in the digestive system, and improved crude protein digestibility.

6.?The higher concentration of essential oil with and without enzyme significantly increased serum total cholesterol concentrations. No significant effect on immune response was found with either enzyme or essential oil, alone or together.

7.?Enzymes and essential oil had different modes of actions. The supplementation of enzyme with essential oil in diets is likely more effective in view of performance, nutrient digestibility, enzyme activities and immune system.     

STUDIES ON DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF SPRING CANOLA CULTIVARS TO BORON TOXICITY

Although many states recommend boron (B) fertilizer for many field crops, information about B toxicity of canola is lacking. This experiment was carried out at Central Anatolia, Turkey from 2002 to 2003, to determine genotypic range in B efficiency of eight spring canola cultivars, to identify the B-inefficient cultivars and to identify specific responses. The cultivars were grown under B moderate deficiency (extractable B 0.56 mg kg^?1) and toxic B applied (15 kg B ha^?1) conditions. According to the results, seed yield varied significantly among the cultivars and B application decreased the seed yield by 31% on average. Also, toxic B application reduced protein and oil contents similar to seed yield, and increased leaf B concentration in all varieties. This study has shown that leaf B concentration has increased considerably when B is applied to Pactol and Star cultivars, but seed yield of +B and ?B has not shown significantly a change. It is possible to say that Star and Pactol—which have not been affected by the toxic B application—are genotypes that are tolerant to B toxicity and may be cultivated at B toxic lands.