Breed-related plasma disposition of ivermectin following subcutaneous administration in Kilis and Damascus goats

Many factors related with drug and animals affect the plasma disposition of endectocides including ivermectin (IVM). The aim of the present study was to investigate the breed differences in pharmacokinetics of IVM in goats following subcutaneous administration. Two different goat breeds (Kilis and Damascus goats) were allocated into two treatment groups with respect to breed. The injectable formulation of IVM was administered subcutaneously at a dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg bodyweight. Blood samples were collected before treatment and at various times between 1 h and 40 days after treatment and the plasma samples were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorescence detection. The results indicated that the plasma disposition of IVM was substantially affected by breed differences following subcutaneous administration in goats. The last detectable plasma concentration (t_last) of IVM was significantly later in Kilis goats (38.33 days) compared with Damascus goats (22.50 days). Although, there were no significant differences on C_max (10.83 ng/ml vs. 10.15 ng/ml) and t_max (2.75 days vs. 2.33 days) values; the area under the concentration–time curve-AUC (110.26 ng.d/ml vs. 73.38 ng.d/ml) the terminal half-life-t_1/2λz (5.65 days vs. 3.81 days) and the mean plasma residence time-MRT (9.31 days vs. 6.35 days) were significantly different in Kilis goats compared with Damascus goats, respectively. The breed-related difference observed on the plasma disposition of IVM between Kilis and Damascus goats could be attributable to different excretion pattern or specific anatomical and/or physiological characteristics such as body fat composition of each breed.     

Investigation of direct toxic and teratogenic effects of anticoagulants on rat embryonic development using in vitro culture method and genotoxicity assay

Heparin and low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are used to reduce the incidence of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy. Although, these agents have been shown to be safe when used during pregnancy, the studies about direct toxic and teratogenic effects of these drugs on embryonic development are limited. In this study, the effects of heparin and LMWHs on rat embryonic development were investigated by using in vitro embryo culture and micronucleus (MN) assay methods. Rat embryos were cultured in vitro in the presence of different concentrations of heparin (5-40 IU/ml), dalteparin (2.5-20 IU/ml), enoxaparin (25-100 microg/ml) and nadroparin (1-4 IU/ml). Effects of anticoagulants on embryonic developmental parameters were compared and embryos were evaluated for the presence of any malformations. After culturing the embryos, classic MN assay was performed. Anticoagulants significantly decreased all growth and developmental parameters dose-dependently. Dalteparin and enoxaparin were found to cause more developmental toxicity than heparin and nadroparin. Along with haematoma in general, heparin and nadroparin caused maxillary deformity, situs inversus and oedema most frequently, while neural tube defects were observed with dalteparin and enoxaparin. All agents also significantly induced MN formation in rat embryonic blood cells. These results indicate the possible genotoxic effects of anticoagulant agents on the developing rat embryo when applied directly.     

Effect of NaCl salinity in the genotypic variation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) during early vegetative growth

Twenty-five genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) were tested for salt-tolerance at the vegetative growth stage in pot in the greenhouse experiments at salinity levels of 0, 85, and 170 mM NaCl. Plant survival was the main criterion for classifying genotypes. Other criteria included the ion concentration (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) in root and shoot and biomass accumulation. Four local accessions (‘Paceño’, ‘Tardón’, ‘Sonorense’, and ‘Cuarenteño’), three accessions from California (‘CB46’, ‘CB27’, and ‘CB3’), and one accession from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (‘IT82D-889’) survived at concentrations of both 85 and 170 mM NaCl and were classified as salt-tolerant, while ‘IT96D-666’, ‘IT89KD-288’, and ‘IT93K-734’ from IITA were classified as salt-sensitive. One local accession (‘Sesenteño’), three accessions from IITA (‘PEPH-V Wes-85’, ‘IT86D-719’, and ‘IT95K-1090-12’), and one accession from California (‘CB5’) were classified as moderately salt-tolerant. Eight accessions from IITA (‘IT96D-733’, ‘IT90K-277-2’, ‘IT91K-93-10’, ‘IT91K-118-20’, ‘IT90K-284-2’, ‘IT95K-1088-4’, ‘IT89KD-391’, and ‘IT94K-437-1’) and one from California (‘CB88’) were classified as moderately salt-sensitive. Biomass was affected by both 85 and 170 mM NaCl in all groups of genotypes, however, salt-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes showed higher biomass than genotypes classified as moderately salt-sensitive and salt-sensitive. In all genotypes Cl⁻ concentration was higher in shoots than roots and increased as salinity increased. Similarly Na⁺ concentration increased with increasing salinity. However, in salt-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes, Na⁺ concentration was more in roots than shoots, while in moderately salt-sensitive and salt-sensitive genotypes, Na⁺ was higher in shoots than roots.     

Surfactant Enhanced Desorption of TNT from Soil

Surfactant enhanced desorption of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from contaminated soils at a military site was investigated. Anionic (SDS and DOWFAX 8390), cationic (CTAC and CTAB), and nonionic (Tween 80 and Brij 35) surfactants were first tested at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1%. The anionic and nonionic surfactants were further tested at concentrations of up to 10%. Anionic surfactants, particularly SDS, provided the best desorption of TNT from the soil. There was not any increase in TNT desorption for both the nonionics and cationics at concentrations ranging between 0.1 to 1% and the extent of desorption was found to be lower than the TNT desorption only by water. The competition of the negatively charged soil surfaces for the positively charged cationics and the neutral nonionic surfactants may constitute the underlying reason. TNT was significantly desorbed when the concentrations of Tween 80, DOWFAX 80 and SDS were increased up to 10%.     

Endogenous Hormone Variations in Annual Wild Cicer Species

All processes that regulate of growth, differentiation and development and also stomatal movement are influenced by endogenous hormones in plants. Research related with endogenous hormones is known for cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), while in wild chickpeas no data existed. In this study, C. bijugum K.H. Rech.; C. chorassanicum (Bge) M. Pop.; C. cuneatum Hochst. ex Rich.; C. echinospermum P.H. Davis; C. judaicum Boiss.; C. pinnatifidum Jaub. et Sp.; C. reticulatum Ladiz.; and C. yamashitae Kitamura were evaluated for variations in endogenous plant hormone concentrations; indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellic acid, and abscisic acid in both leaf and pod. It was concluded that there was a great variation on endogenous plant hormones among the annual wild Cicer species. The data may support selection for various attributes.     

Effect of different drip irrigation regimes on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) yield, quality and water use efficiency in Middle Anatolian, Turkey

Agricultural production has forced researchers to focus on increasing water use efficiency by improving either new drought-tolerant plant varieties or water management for arid and semi-arid areas under water shortage conditions. A field study was conducted to determine effects of seasonal deficit irrigation on plant root yield, quality and water use efficiency (WUE) of sugar beet for a 2-year period in the semi-arid region. Irrigations were applied when approximately 50–55% of the usable soil moisture was consumed in the effective rooting depth at the full irrigation (FI) treatment. In deficit irrigation treatments, irrigations were applied at the rates of 75, 50 and 25% of full irrigation treatment on the same day. Irrigation water was applied by a drip irrigation system. Increasing water deficits resulted in a relatively lower root and white sugar yields. The linear relationship between evapotranspiration and root yield was obtained. Similarly, WUE was the highest in DI25 irrigation conditions and the lowest in full irrigation conditions. According to the averaged values of 2 years, yield response factor (k _y ) was 0.93 for sugar beet. Sugar beet root quality parameters were influenced by drip irrigation levels in both years. The results revealed that irrigation of sugar beet with drip irrigation method at 75% level (DI25) had significant benefits in terms of saved irrigation water and large WUE, indicating a definitive advantage of deficit irrigation under limited water supply conditions. In an economic viewpoint, 25% saving of irrigation water (DI25) caused 6.1% reduction in the net income.     

Photosystem II and cellular membrane stability evaluation in hexaploid wheat seedlings under salt stress conditions

Salinity limits crop production in large areas of the world. The application of in vitro Photosystem II (PS‐II) activity measurements to screen hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) genotypes for NaCl tolerance has been investigated by comparing their responses under stress and control (no added NaCl) conditions. One of the four cultivars used in the study was ‘Kharchia’ known for its high salt tolerance. Wheat seedlings were grown hydroponically in environmental chambers and treated with a range of NaCl concentrations (0.034 M, 0.17 M, 0.68 M, or 3.42 M) over a 1, 3, and 5‐day period. The salt treatments were started in the appropriate time so that they were all ten‐day‐old during harvest. Cellular membrane stability (CMS) as measured by a conductivity method and PS‐II activity values were affected adversely by NaCl concentration and duration of treatment. Both methods clearly distinguish between salt‐sensitive and salt‐tolerant genotypes. Statistical analysis showed that PS‐II activity and CMS measurements are well correlated (r=0.7589) suggesting that PS‐II activity would be used as an additional screening method besides CMS to evaluate salt tolerance of wheat.     

Plant growth,phosphorus nutrition,and acid phosphatase enzyme activity in three tomato cultivars grown hydroponically at different zinc concentrations

Three tomato cvs., Blizzard, Liberto, and Calypso, were grown hydroponically in a controlled temperature (C.T.) room for six weeks at three zinc (Zn) concentrations (0.01, 0.5, and 5.0 mg Zn L^‐1) in the nutrient solution. There were significant reductions in the dry matter and chlorophyll contents of all three cultivars grown at both low (0.01 mg L^‐1) and high (5 mg L^‐1) Zn as compared to 0.5 mg Zn L^‐1. The concentration of Zn at 0.01 mg L^‐1 was not sufficient to provide for optimal plant growth, while 5 mg Zn L^‐1 in the nutrient solution was detrimental to plant growth for all three cultivars. The best results for all parameters tested were for the plants grown at 0.5 mg Zn L^‐1. The concentration of phosphorus (P) was at an excess level in leaves of plants grown in 0.01 mg Zn L^‐1, while it was deficient in the 5 mg Zn L^‐1 treatment. Acid Phosphatase Enzyme [EC.3.1.3.2.] (APE) activity was significantly higher in both the leaves and roots of P‐deficient plants, i.e., plants receiving high (5 mg L^‐1) Zn. Acid Phosphatase Enzyme activity was slightly higher in the mature leaves than those in developing leaves, where P concentration was higher. Concentration of P and, in particular Zn, increased in the roots with increasing Zn in the nutrient solution. The APE activity increased in the roots of P‐deficient plants receiving high Zn (5 mg L^‐1).     

Investigation of Developmental Toxicity and Teratogenicity of Antiemetics on Rat Embryos Cultured In Vitro

In this study, we aimed to investigate and compare the direct toxic and teratogenic effects of dimenhydrinate, metoclopramide and trimethobenzamide HCl, antiemetic drugs on embryonic growth and development in cultured rat embryos. Embryos were explanted on day 9.5 of gestation and cultured. Whole rat serum was used as a culture medium for the control group while different concentrations of dimenhydrinate (2.5–20 μg/ml), metoclopramide (10–50 μg/ml) and trimethobenzamide HCl (25–100 μg/ml) were added to serum for the experimental groups. Effects of antiemetics on embryonic developmental parameters were compared, and embryos were evaluated for the presence of any malformations. Also, the total DNA was extracted from the cells to determine the fragmentation of nuclear DNA of embryonic cells. Compared with the control embryos, the antiemetics significantly decreased all growth and developmental parameters dose dependently. There was no difference regarding the fragmentation of nuclear DNA of the all used agents and controls. Amongst the agents, trimethobenzamide HCl was found to have more toxic and teratogenic potential, and metoclopramide appears to be the least toxic antiemetic and therefore could be more safely used and might be preferred for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.     

Beneficial effects of Oral Allspice,Pimenta dioica powder supplementation on the hemato‐immunological and serum biochemical responses of Oreochromis mossambicus

The present study investigated the effects of dietary allspice powder supplementation on welfare status of Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus assessed by hemato‐immunological and serum biochemical parameters. Five diets were formulated to contain 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 or 20 g of allspice kg^?1 of fish feed. Fish were fed experimental diets for 60 days. Supplementation of allspice powder at 10 g kg^?1 positively influenced the serum glucose, plasma lysozyme activity and myeloperoxidase activity. Dietary allspice powder at 15 g kg^?1 also positively influenced the serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin and globulin) and plasma lysozyme activity. However, 20 g kg^?1 allspice powder group had significantly lower values of respiratory burst activity and red blood cell count than other experimental groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that supplementation of allspice powder at 10 or 15 g kg^?1 for 60 days, had beneficial effects on improvement of some immunological and serum biochemical status of O. mossambicus. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of allspice powder might further improve the resistance to fish pathogens.