Comparison of selection methods among and within full-sibling progenies in Urochloa humidicola

Hybridization in the Urochloa humidicola breeding programme allowed to explore the genetic variability of the apomictic sources and, thus, to obtain new sexual and apomictic parents with compatible ploidy and/or superior progenies. However, given the high variability arising from crosses, there is a need to adopt efficient selection strategies among and within progenies. The aim of this study was to compare the selection methods among U. humidicola progenies with (t-BLUP) and without (BLUP) the weighting based on prediction error and subsequent selection within progenies by individual simulated (BLUP_IS) or optimal individual BLUP. We evaluated seventy-one U. humidicola full-sib progenies from biparental crosses between nine sexual and ten apomictic parents. The experiment was set up in an incomplete block design with 64 blocks of 15 plots each, consisting of individual plants. Seven consecutive cuts were made and the traits total dry-matter, leaf dry-matter and regrowth scores were measured. Genetic variance was expressive for all traits. The selection procedure among progenies of U. humidicula based on t-BLUP proved to be more advantageous regarding the use of BLUP not weighted by the prediction error, resulting in higher selection gains, taking as reference the optimal procedure of the individual BLUP. Furthermore, the use of BLUP_IS allowed an optimized selection of hybrids, allowing the breeder to explore with variable selection intensity the genetic variability within the selected full-sib progenies based on relative genetic merit.     

Pseudomonas putida improved soil enzyme activity and growth of kasumbha under low input of mineral fertilizers

Effective management of the nutrients and enzyme activity in the soil is necessary for maximum crop growth and productivity. However, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers (CFs) not only adversely affects the soil nutrient status and soil physicochemical properties but also aids pollution to the ecosystem. The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of single as well as combined applications of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and agrochemicals on important soil enzyme activities and their impact on the growth of kasumbha (safflower). Pseudomonas putida (P. putida;10⁶ cells/mL) was applied as seed inoculation prior to sowing, and CFs were applied as full, half, and quarter doses during sowing to modulate the growth of kasumbha host plants. P. putida in combination with half dose of CFs (PH) increased the soil urease and phosphatase activities, while P. putida combined with quarter dose of CFs (PQ) augmented the soil invertase activities. Moreover, the PQ treatment exhibited the maximum colony-forming units of P. putida. Leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein contents, and root lengths were increased by PH treatment. Whereas, shoot length and leaf area were improved by PH and PQ treatments, respectively. Leaf protease activity was enhanced by P. putida in combination with full dose of CFs and PQ treatments, while leaf phosphate contents were significantly improved by PQ treatment. It can be concluded that P. putida in combination with half as well as quarter doses of CFs is a promising approach for the improvement of soil enzyme activities and growth of kasumbha and replacing 50% of the use of CFs.     

(Z)-12-Hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic acid in Sesbania aculeata seed oil

On the basis of various industrial importances of hydroxyl fatty acids we have investigated Sesbania aculeata seed oil. The most interesting finding is the presence of a hydroxyolefinic fatty acid (9.24%) along with other usual fatty acids such as lauric (2.51%), myristic (0.37%), palmitic (10.94%), palmitoleic (3.54%), stearic (4.02%), oleic (17.10%), linoleic (45.92%), linolenic (5.29%), arachidic (0.03%) and behenic (1.04%). The structure of this hydroxy fatty acid was established on the basis of spectral data (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS) and chemical (catalytic hydrogenation, oxidative degradation) methods as (Z)-12-hydroxyoctadec-9-enoic (ricinoleic) acid.     

Nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress of single large dose or two divided doses of gentamicin in rats

Gentamicin (GS) is a potent antimicrobial exhibiting concentration dependent bacterial killing. A high dose ofgentamicin (10 mg kg(-1)) is required to reach sufficient concentrations in specific fluids as cerebrospinal fluid and to be effective on antibiotics resistant bacteria as well as treatment of acute and dangerous illness. Using a rat model, the renal toxicity and oxidative stress of administering gentamicin (10 mg kg(-1) daily for 7 days) either in a single dose or divided into 2 doses was investigated. The safety of dose regimens was assessed through oxidant-antioxidant parameters as well as renal function tests. Typical renal damage and high oxidative stress were evident in the control group receiving 100 mg kg(-1) gentamicin daily for 7 days. This was verified by high serum urea, uric acid, creatinine as well as increase in the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers as malondialdehyde, NO, total antioxidant capacity and decrease in reduced glutathione level. At any of the used regimen, 10 mg kg(-1) gentamicin did not provide high compromise for renal functions nor significantly increased the oxidative stress and tissue damage. Based on microscopic lesions scores and biochemical analysis, there were no significant differences between single or two divided dosages of gentamicin at dose rate of 10 mg kg(-1) day(-1). Further studies are required for applications in other animals of human subjects.     

Antiparasitic efficacy of dietary administration of trichlorfon (Masoten®) in the control of Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae (Neochinorhynchidae) in Colossoma macropomum (Serrasalmidae)

Aquaculture International - This study investigated the efficacy of trichlorfon against Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae, as well as its palatability, residue analysis, and the blood parameters of...     

Comparative analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Argonaute</Emphasis> gene sequences in bananas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa</Emphasis> sp.) shows conserved species-specific Ago-7 PIWI domains

The Argonaute proteins are key components in the effector complex of RNA silencing pathways which interact with small RNAs to mediate sequence specific silencing of nucleic acid targets. In plants, these proteins are involved in a diversity of biological roles such as antiviral defence, heterochromatin regulation and in the regulation of growth and development. This report describes the study of Argonaute gene sequences in bananas which are an important food staple for many developing nations. This study successfully isolated AGO7-specific PIWI domain genomic sequences from 12 diploid Musa species of three Musa sections and also from Ensete. The Musa AGO7-specific PIWI domain sequences showed the highest similarity to rice AGO7/SHOOTLESS4 with an average amino acid identity of 78%. Phylogenetic analysis of the Musa sequences revealed phylogenetic grouping that agrees fairly well with the present knowledge of the taxonomic classification of Musa species. In addition, this study estimated that there are at least 15 Argonaute genes or loci containing PIWI domain sequences in the genome of Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima, Japan: Pollution Scenario and Source Identification

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be atmospheric pollutants and well-known human carcinogens. This study analyzes the pollution scenarios of PAHs in the aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima, Japan. We examined the characteristics, the influences of meteorological conditions, the distribution and seasonal variation of PAHs in aerosol samples collected from June 2000 to May 2001. The concentration of PAHs in the aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima was ranging from 11.8 to 157.5 μg/g with a mean concentration of 63.4 μg/g. Results showed that there is positive correlation between aerosol PAH concentrations and ambient temperature but a relatively little correlation with solar radiation. Seasonal variation was observed with a higher concentration during winter and lower concentration during summer. Apart from that, principal component analysis and molecular diagnostic ratios were also used to characterize and identify possible PAHs emission sources. Results obtained strongly suggested that vehicular emissions appeared to be the major source of aerosol PAHs in this study although other sources do have some degree of influence.     

The effects of several commercial wood coatings on the deterioration of biological pigments in wood exposed to UV light

This research subjected four wood species pigmented with the red stain of Scytalidium cuboideum and Acer negundo wood pigmented with the tree’s naturally occurring red stain to natural and artificial UV light. Several commercially available coatings were applied to determine the effect of coating on the degradation of both red stains over time. The red stain of Acer negundo was found to be significantly less stable in UV light than the red pigment produced by S. cuboideum on any wood species, even A. negundo. None of the tested coatings significantly increased the pigment retention time of the red stain produced by A. negundo. The red stain of S. cuboideum was significantly affected by both coating and wood species; Populus tremuloides retained pigment significantly longer than Fagus grandifolia or Acer saccharum, and the Danish oil coating retained pigment significantly longer than the lacquer, water-based polyurethane with UV inhibitors, or the uncoated samples. Overall, lacquer increased the degradation rate of the red pigment produced by S. cuboideum, with the most pronounced increase occurring on F. grandifolia. These results indicate that the red-pigmented wood produced by A. negundo may not be appropriate for applications involving UV exposure, regardless of coating utilized. However, P. tremuloides wood pigmented with S. cuboideum may be appropriate for such applications, especially if Danish oil is applied as a coating.