Effects of short and long term treatment of Ballota undulata on female albino rats fertility and pregnancy

The objectives of this study is to investigate the toxic effects of Ballota undulata (300 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) on the reproductive system after administration to female Sprague-Dawley rats for two time periods 4 and 12 weeks. Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two treatment and two control groups of 10 rats each. The two treated groups received 15 mg kg(-1) b.wt. of Ballota undulata for two periods of 4 and 12 weeks. Female rats were allowed mating with males after treatment. Several pregnancy parameters were investigated including: total number of pregnant rats, body weight and reproductive organ weight, number of implantation sites, number of resorption sites and number of viable fetuses. The significance of these results was calculated using student's t and Chi-square tests. Exposure to Ballota undulata for 4 weeks did not have significant effects on most parameters investigated. However, a slight decrease in the relative ovarian and embryo weights was observed. Administration of Ballota undulata for 12 weeks significantly reduced the percentage of pregnancies and the number of implantation sites when compared with controls. In addition, a decrease in ovarian weights and in viable fetuses' number was also observed. Histological sections of ovaries of female treated with Ballota undulata were found to have congested blood vessels in cortical and medullary regions. We also noted the arrestment of developing follicles at primary and secondary stages in addition to presence of degenerative areas and hypercellullarity in medulla. Long term treatment with Ballota undulata might lead to diversified negative effects on fertility and pregnancy in female rats.     

Prolactin daily rhythm in suckling male rabbits

Background  

This study describes the 24-h changes in plasma prolactin levels, and dopamine (DA), serotonin (5HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine concentration in median eminence and adenohypophysis of newborn male rabbits.     

Intra-arterial infusion of leptin does not affect blood pressure in salt-loaded rabbits

The aim of this research is to see the effect of intra-arterial infusion of leptin on blood pressure of salt loaded rabbits in vivo. Increased blood pressure was produced in rabbits by giving diets containing 8% sodium chloride for 5 weeks. Leptin in different concentrations was infused intra-arterially into rabbits fed on high salt diets and the response was compared in rabbits fed with low salt diets. High salt diets produced significant increase in blood pressure. In rabbits fed with low salt diet, leptin infused intra-arterially caused an increase in blood pressure while infusion of leptin into rabbits fed with high salt diets does not affect the blood pressure. In conclusion, salt loading to rabbits abolishes the effect ofleptin on cardiovascular system. This may indicate that leptin effect on sympathetic activity is altered by high salt diets in these animals.     

Reproductive performance of rabbits on organic and inorganic leys

A comparison was made of the reproductive performance of rabbits on organic and inorganic leys. The fecundity of rabbits on inorganic leys was greater but this advantage was to some extent counteracted by a lower viability. The maternal behaviour was superior in rabbits on organic leys but fertility was lower. The overall reproductive performance of New Zealand white rabbits on inorganic leys was superior, but this trend was reversed for Dutch rabbits. Milk-production was generally better in rabbits on organic leys but the growth rates of the offspring varied more or less evenly between organic and inorganic leys. The data do not support the assumption that organic methods of farmingper se necessarily produce food of a superior nutritional quality.     

大豆百粒重QTL的上位效应和基因型×环境互作效应

基于Charleston×东农594重组自交系群体,采用完备区间作图和混合线性模型对2006-2010年连续5年的百粒重QTL进行定位,并进行基因×环境互作及上位性分析。结果定位了16个与大豆百粒重性状相关的QTL,其中有5个QTL分别与环境发生互作,互作贡献率在0.11%～0.52%之间;定位了8对上位互作位点,贡献率在1.15%～2.59%之间。     

从气候影响分析谈大豆生产对策

分析了今年前期异常的气候对大豆生育的影响,提出了以抢积温促早熟为中心的生产对策,包括树立抢积温促早熟的思想,抓紧进行垅沟深松,勤铲勤趟的田间管理,追肥和叶面喷肥等促进生长、调节生育的措施和及时防治病虫害等技术对策。     

茶多酚抗炎作用研究进展

研究表明茶多酚对一般的炎症、肾炎、口腔炎症、皮肤炎症有很好的疗效,抗炎效果显著。其抗炎机理与抑制炎症因子作用、免疫调节作用、抗氧化作用、抑菌作用等综合作用有关。     

蓖麻内生细菌生物效应分析

从健康的野生蓖麻及栽培蓖麻茎、叶中分离出36个内生细菌菌株.研究结果表明蓖麻内存在具有多种生物效应的内生菌,烟草过敏性反应和半叶接种法测定结果表明有6个菌株具有潜在致病性;有12个菌株对试验的6个病原真菌存在不同程度的拮抗作用;3个菌株可刺激蓖麻生长,但有2个菌株抑制蓖麻种子发芽,5个菌株抑制蓖麻生长.试验筛选出对蓖麻幼苗具有防病促生作用的内生菌株Y33.     

Anticarcinogenic effects of curry leaves in dimethylhydrazine-treated rats

Curry leaves are one of the spices used in Indian dishes for aroma and preservation. There are no reports on the antioxidant properties of curry leaves. In this study, the antioxidant potential of curry leaves in rats treated with a known chemical carcinogen, dimethylhydrazine hydrochloride (DMH) was investigated. Food intake was reduced in the rats fed curry leaf-supplemented diet but the body and the organ weights were not affected.Vitamin A content in the liver was significantly increased whereas glutathione (GSH) content was not altered. A 50% reduction was seen in the micronuclei induced by DMH and a 30% reduction in the activity of ,-glutamyl transpeptidase when the rats were fed a curry leaf-supplemented diet. These results indicate that curry leaves have highpotential as reducer of the toxicity of DMH.     

Temperature effects in determinations of leaf relative water content

Differences between field temperature and floating temperature during determination offect apparent leof relative water content (RWC). When floating temperature was lower or higher than field temperature, RWC appeared higher or lower, respectively, than when the temperatures were the same. Discrepancies averaged 0·24% RWC per TC temperature difference for wheat and perennial ryegrass, and 0·33% for the less xeromorphic white clover and potato. These averages might reasonably be used in future for correcting values obtained with these or similar species.     

5种土壤封闭除草剂对棉田杂草的防除效果

为探究5种常用土壤处理除草剂乙草胺、异丙甲草胺、二甲戊灵、敌草隆、丙炔氟草胺对棉田一年生杂草的防除效果,在河南省信阳市采用播后苗前土壤喷雾法进行田间药效试验.结果表明:每666.7 m2用100 mL(制剂用量,下同)960 g·L-1异丙甲草胺乳油(剂型代码:EC)或100 mL 33％二甲戊灵EC对稗草、千金子、铁...     

云南不同生态环境对硬粒小麦品质的影响

选用云南生产上种植的硬粒小麦品种“780”为材料，通过3个不同生态试点、两种栽培方式对硬粒小麦籽粒品质性状影响的研究得出：在相同栽培条件下，蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量、沉隆值、形成时间、评价值、耐揉指数等随海拔高度的升高面升高，出粉率、吸水率等随海拔高度的升高而降低，稳定时间、弱化度、和面时间、断裂时间等表现为中海拔高于低海拔、高海拔。总的来看，硬粒小麦品质性状表现为田麦栽培方式优于地麦栽培方式。     

Productivity and residual effects of legumes in rice-based cropping systems in a warm-temperate environment: II. Residual effects on rice

Field experiments were conducted over the period 1994–1996 to investigate the residual effect on rice of a wide range of temperate legume species, grown during the preceding winter season in a warm-temperate environment in Nepal. The incorporation of large quantities of above- and below-ground legume biomass (roots and foliage) resulted in substantial residual effects on the subsequent upland rice crop. The effects on rice yield in terms of percent increase over the control were more pronounced at a site of comparatively lower inherent soil fertility where grain yields of rice grown after high yielding legume crops such as bitter lupin (Lupinus mutabilis) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) were almost twice as high (up to 7.6 t DM ha⁻¹) than those of the control treatment (rice after wheat). In contrast, the residual effects of below-ground biomass (roots, nodules) on the following rice crop were not very pronounced and resulted in similar residual effects as rice, after fallow. Although up to 480 kg ha⁻¹ of legume foliage N had been applied to rice, only a small proportion of the legume N (up to 70 kg N ha⁻¹) was recovered by the following rice crop. Total rice dry matter yields were highly correlated with the amount of legume N applied, yet other factors such as residue quality and residue management practices appeared to also affect the magnitude of the residual effects. Future work should aim at investigating the effect of residue quality as affected by legume species and residue management practice on decomposition and N mineralisation processes in rice soils.     

Neuroprotective effects of marine algae

The marine environment is known as a rich source of chemical structures with numerous beneficial health effects. Among marine organisms, marine algae have been identified as an under-exploited plant resource, although they have long been recognized as valuable sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds. Presently, several lines of studies have provided insight into biological activities and neuroprotective effects of marine algae including antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, cholinesterase inhibitory activity and the inhibition of neuronal death. Hence, marine algae have great potential to be used for neuroprotection as part of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and functional foods. This contribution presents an overview of marine algal neuroprotective effects and their potential application in neuroprotection.     

Economic and environmental effects of rice-straw bioethanol production in Vietnam

Bioethanol production from rice-straw is carbon neutral and less competitive with food supplies, so it provides great possibilities for resolving global issues. This study aims to conduct economic and environmental evaluations on rice-straw bioethanol production in Vietnam, where huge amounts of unused rice-straw are available, by a top–down life-cycle assessment by means of an input–output table. The economic impacts are evaluated by total costs, total production, and total added value; the environmental impacts are assessed by greenhouse gas emissions with consideration of life-cycle, i.e., the plant construction phase, production phase, and plant scrapping phase. Three technology scenarios are assumed: (1) present technology, (2) advanced technology with higher conversion rates, and (3) innovative technology with a new production method and economies of scale. The results demonstrate that, first, rice-straw bioethanol production can reduce annual gasoline consumption by more than 20 %, and plant construction costs account for 8–22 % of the total investment in Vietnam. Second, under the present technology, both economic and environmental net benefits are negative. However, the innovative technology makes both benefits positive. Third, under the advanced technology, the environmental net benefit is positive, while the economic net benefit is negative. This implies that satisfying economic viability is more difficult than attaining environmental viability in rice-straw bioethanol production. Therefore, technological development and transfer are necessary to make rice-straw bioethanol production feasible.     

Expression of TNF inhibitor gene in the lacrimal gland promotes recovery of tear production and tear stability and reduced immunopathology in rabbits with induced autoimmune dacryoadenitis

Background

The most common cause of ocular morbidity in developed countries is dry eye, many cases of which are due to lacrimal insufficiency. Dry eye affects approximately 10 million in the United States., most of whom are women. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 2 million Sjögren's syndrome patients have dysfunctional lacrimal glands and severe dry eye, and there is no satisfactory treatment. These patients would benefit if their lacrimal tissue function could be restored.

Methods

The effect of adenovirus-mediated transfer of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitor gene on induced autoimmune dacryoadenitis was evaluated in a rabbit model. Soluble transgene protein was detected in tears by ELISA for 7 days following transduction.

Results

Two weeks after induction of disease with activated lymphocytes, tear production, as determined by Schirmer testing, was reduced by about 40%, while tear film stability, as measured by tear breakup time (BUT), declined by 43%. Adenovirus-mediated gene therapy using AdTNFRp55-Ig given 2 weeks after disease induction, resulted in the return of tear production to normal levels by week 4. In the treated disease group, tear BUT improved significantly by week 4. Rose bengal scores, an indicator of corneal surface defects, increased after disease induction and declined after gene therapy. In the lacrimal gland, the CD4 to CD8 T cell ratio was 4:1 in the disease group compared to 1:2 in the treated group. Infiltration of T cells and CD18+ cells was reduced approximately 50% after gene therapy.

Conclusion

We concluded that therapeutic levels of soluble TNF inhibitor were achieved in the lacrimal gland and on the corneal surface. Anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression might offer a potential therapeutic modality for the treatment of autoimmune dacryoadenitis, once suitable vectors become available.

     

Toxic effects of domoic acid in the seabream Sparus aurata

Neurotoxicity induced in fish by domoic acid (DA) was assessed with respect to occurrence of neurotoxic signs, lethality, and histopathology by light microscopy. Sparus aurata were exposed to a single dose of DA by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 0, 0.45, 0.9, and 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw. Mortality (66.67 ± 16.67%) was only observed in dose of 9.0 mg kg(-1) bw. Signs of neurological toxicity were detected for the doses of 0.9 and 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw. Furthermore, the mean concentrations (±SD) of DA detected by HPLC-UV in extracts of brain after exposure to 9.0 mg DA kg(-1) bw were 0.61 ± 0.01, 0.96 ± 0.00, and 0.36 ± 0.01 mg DA kg(-1) tissue at 1, 2, and 4 hours. The lack of major permanent brain damage in S. aurata, and reversibility of neurotoxic signs, suggest that lower susceptibility to DA or neuronal recovery occurs in affected individuals.     

Plasma lipid lowering effects of wheat germ in hypercholesterolemic subjects

The present study was performed to investigate the possible effects of wheat germ supplementation on lipid metabolism in humans. Ten free-living adult subjects participated in the study. None was obese or diabetic. They all presented an, hypercholesterolemia (from 6.58 to 9.50 mM), associated in 6 over 10 cases to an hypertriglyceridemia (from 1.70 to 5.00 mM). The subjects were studied in three consecutive periods, during which they first were on their usual diet (first week), they then ingested a daily supplement of 30 g wheat germ (4 weeks) and then they returned to their usual basal diet (4 weeks follow-up). Dietary records were obtained for 7 and 3 consecutive days before and during wheat germ supplementation, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken at the end of each period. After 4 weeks of wheat, germ intake, glycemia did not change while total plasma cholesterol significantly decreased (paired Student'st test,p0.05) from 7.80 to 7.15 mM. LDL and HDL cholesterol values did not show marked changes, but VLDL cholesterol significantly dropped by 40.6%. Thus, the plasma/HDL total cholesterol ratio was significantly lower. Apoprotein B and A1 decreased. In the hypertriglyceridemic subjects, this was accompanied by a significant reduction of plasma triglycerides (1.64 vs. 2.68 mM) and a marked drop of VLDL triglycerides (–51%). Taken as a whole, the present results obtained in humans are very close to those previously obtained in the rat [40] and point out that wheat germ may play a beneficial role in the dietary management of hyperlipidemia.Part of the data communicated in this paper was presented at the Fibre 90 Conference, 17–20 April 1990, Norwich, UK.     

密度对亚麻纤维细胞发育的影响

本文研究了密度与亚麻纤维形成发育的关系,结果表明:亚麻植株横切面上的纤维细胞数无论密度如何变化,均以中部最多,下部次之,上部最少.纤维细胞大小:下部最大,中部次之,上部最小.在快速生长期以前,茎中部的纤维细胞数量随密度的增加而增加,而纤维细胞群数则随密度的增加而减少.开花后直到工艺成热期,茎中部的纤维细胞均以中密度最多,分别为530个和662个;纤维细胞群数则以其最少.