Comparison of yield,fruit quality,antioxidant activity,and some phenolic compounds of white seedless grape obtained from organic,conventional, and integrated fertilization

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of three different fertilizing systems, including organic, conventional, and integrated ones, on the yield, fruit quality, antioxidant activity, and some phenolic compounds of white seedless grape. The study was carried out on several 6-year-old white seedless grapevine located in the Urmia Province (North-West Iran). The results showed that the fruit physical characteristics and yield were affected significantly by different fertilization systems. The highest yield was observed in the conventional fertilization, followed by organic and integrated systems. The leaf mineral contents were obviously dependent on the different fertilization used, whereas pH and titratable acidity were not affected. Based on our results, the highest values of antioxidant activity and total flavonoid were found in the organic and integrated fertilization systems, respectively. Also, the highest contents of total phenolic, catechin, and quercetin-3-galactoside were observed in the organic fertilization system. Overall, the highest nutritional quality and biochemical characteristics of white seedless grape were obtained in organic fertilization system, which improved antioxidant capacity by enhancing total phenolics, total flavonoids and valuable phenolic compounds.     

Naringin-loaded Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Gelatin Electrospun Mat as a Potential Wound Dressing: In vitro and In vivo Evaluation

In the present study, naringin, a flavonoid isolated from the grape and citrus fruit species, was incorporated with poly(ε-caprolactone)/gelatin composite mats in order to develop a potential wound dressing. The composite mats were prepared by electrospinning of poly(ε-caprolactone)/gelatin (1:1 (w/w)) solution incorporated with 1.50 %, 3 % and 6 % (w/w) of naringin. The electrospun mats were evaluated regarding their morphology, contact angle, water-uptake capacity, water vapor transmission rate, tensile properties, drug release, cellular response and in vivo wound healing activity. The study showed that after 2 weeks, the full-thickness excisional wounds of Wistar rats treated with the naringin-loaded dressings achieved a wound closure of higher than 94 % and the dressing containing 6 % (w/w) naringin had almost 100 % wound closure. The sterile gauze, as the control group, showed nearly 86 % of wound closure after this period of time. Our results provided evidence that supports the possible applicability of naringin-loaded wound dressing for successful wound treatment.     

Application of silver nanoparticles as an antibacterial mordant in wool natural dyeing: Synthesis,antibacterial activity,and color characteristics

Madder is a natural colorant which is commonly applied with metal salts as a mordant to improve its affinity to fibers and color fastness. Madder produces an insoluble complex or lake in the presence of metal ions on mordanted fabric. In this study, wool fabric was pretreated with AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) as a mordant, then dyed with madder. The wool fabric samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their colorimetric characteristics were evaluated. The formation of spherical silver nanoparticle was confirmed using UV-Visible spectroscopy, SEM images, and elemental analysis. The average size of synthesized silver nanoparticles on the surface of wool fibers is around 73 nm. The dyed wool samples were pretreated with different concentration of Ag⁺ ions or AgNPs, which showed higher color strength value compared to untreated dyed wool fabric. This pretreatment also presented good antibacterial activity.     

Shade-based control of Imperata cylindrica: tree fallows and cover crops

Imperata is shade-intolerant, although little is known of the relative roles of competition for light, water and nutrients in suppressing its growth. Shading of Imperata results in reduced carbohydrate storage, reduced rhizome and tuber-bulb production, reduced shoot dry weight, increased susceptibility to competition, increased susceptibility to herbicides and decreased vigor/regeneration. Herbaceous cover crops in the genera Calapogonium, Crotoleria, Mucuna and Pueraria have been shown to effectively suppress Imperata growth and can be used to prevent and in some cases eradicate Imperata. Tree fallows with fast-growing species such as Sesbania sesban, Acacia nilotica and Leucaena leucocephala can improve soil physical and chemical properties and suppress weed growth. Forest plantations have been successfully used, particularly with the use of moderate to high tillage, weeding and fertilizer inputs to suppress Imperata growth. These plantations produce marketable wood and reclaim the site for other uses. Additional research is needed to evaluate the specific nature of competition and allelopathic effects from Imperata. Continued evaluation of tree species and provenances for Imperata suppression, forms of tillage after woody fallow crops and the constraints to adoption of cover crops and trees as Imperata control measures are also needed.     

Multifunctional colored polyester fabric treated with dopamine hydrochloride at room temperature: higher tensile,hydrophilicity and anti-bacterial properties along with aminolysis

In this work, dopamine hydrochloride, an environmental friendly compound, was applied on polyester fabric through conventional simple impregnation method in alkaline solution (pH=8.5) at room temperature. In situ spontaneous oxidative polymerization of dopamine form polydopamine (PDA) along with aminolysis of polyester fabric surface. Also, a range of colored polyester fabric were successfully achieved by formation of polydopamine adhesive coating layer at different concentration of dopamine hydrochloride (0.001-4 g/l). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy showed deposition of polydopmaine on the polyester fabric surface. The modified colored polyester fabric showed reasonable durability against washing, rubbing and light. The treated polyester fabric with 2 g/l dopamine hydrochloride as optimum concentration indicated not only lower spreading time for water droplet and electrical resistance with higher tensile strength but also very good bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.     

Oculocardiac reflex induced by zygomatic arch fracture in a crossbreed dog

A 3-year-old crossbreed male dog was presented with a history of blunt facial trauma. Skull radiographs showed right zygomatic arch fracture. An electrocardiogram revealed bradycardia, first-degree atrioventricular block and QT prolongation. Standard biochemical profile including electrolytes was normal. Atropine response test (0.04 mg/kg intravenously) restored normal sinus rhythm at a rate of 140 bpm with normal QT and PR intervals. This observation is consistent with oculocardiac reflex secondary to zygomatic arch fracture.     

Effects of vermicompost and salinity stress on growth and physiological traits of Medicago rigidula L.

The use of vermicompost as a biological fertilizer under salinity stress conditions was tested in this research. Accordingly, the seeds of Medicago rigidula were grown in the greenhouse. The experiment was performed based on factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design using 5 replications. Application rates of vermicompost were 0, 10, 20 and 30%. Salinity stress was conducted in three levels (0, 50 and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)). The highest and the lowest values of the plant survival capacity (%), shoot dry weight (g), leaf relative water content (LRWC) (%), total chlorophyll content (%), leaf area (cm²), total nitrogen content (TNC) (%) and potassium (K) content (%) of the plant tissues were found in VC4 × SL1 and VC1 × SL3 treatments, respectively. Whereas, the maximum and minimum values of root dry weight and root:shoot ratio were seen in VC1 × SL3 and VC4 × SL1 treatments, respectively.     

Nitrate leaching in a silage maize field under different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer rates

Quantification of the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) and water on nitrate (NO₃) loss provides an important insight for more effective N and water management. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer levels on nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) leaching in a silage maize field. The experiment included four irrigation levels (0.7, 0.85, 1.0, and 1.13 of soil moisture depletion, SMD) and three N fertilization levels (0, 142, and 189 kg N ha⁻¹), with three replications. Ceramic suction cups were used to extract soil solution at 30 and 60 cm soil depths for all 36 experimental plots. Soil NO₃-N content of 0-30 and 30-60-cm layers were evaluated at planting and harvest maturity. Total N uptake (NU) by the crop was also determined. Maximum NO₃-N leaching out of the 60-cm soil layer was 8.43 kg N ha⁻¹, for the 142 kg N ha⁻¹ and over irrigation (1.13 SMD) treatment. The minimum and maximum seasonal average NO₃ concentration at the 60 cm depth was 46 and 138 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Based on our findings, it is possible to control NO₃ leaching out of the root zone during the growing season with a proper combination of irrigation and fertilizer management.     

Mutations in dynein link motor neuron degeneration to defects in retrograde transport

Degenerative disorders of motor neurons include a range of progressive fatal diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Although the causative genetic alterations are known for some cases, the molecular basis of many SMA and SBMA-like syndromes and most ALS cases is unknown. Here we show that missense point mutations in the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain result in progressive motor neuron degeneration in heterozygous mice, and in homozygotes this is accompanied by the formation of Lewy-like inclusion bodies, thus resembling key features of human pathology. These mutations exclusively perturb neuron-specific functions of dynein.