Comparison of artificial neural networks and prediction models for reference evapotranspiration estimation in a semi-arid region

Estimation of reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) is essential for determination of crop water requirements. In this research, Penman–FAO (P-FAO) and Penman–Monteith (PM) equations were calibrated and validated by lysimeter-measured ET_o with six and four weather parameters. Furthermore, two input structures (six and four weather parameters) to artificial neural networks (ANNs) were investigated. Results showed that the accuracy of the PM equation is greater than that of the P-FAO equation. An empirical equation was developed to estimate daily ET_o using mean daily temperature and relative humidity, and sunshine hours. The accuracy of the equation to estimate daily ET_o using smooth weather data is greater than that of an equation using original data. Furthermore, ANNs were able to estimate ET_o properly. The accuracy of ANNs with six inputs is higher than that obtained using the P-FAO equation and is similar to that determined using the PM equation. A decrease in number of inputs to ANNs generally decreased the accuracy of estimation, however, ANNs were able to estimate ET_o properly when wind speed and solar radiation were unavailable. Furthermore, the accuracy of ANNs, with four input parameters is greater than that obtained using the PM equation and is similar to that obtained with P–FAO and the developed empirical equations.     

Soil application of entomopathogenic nematodes suppresses the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in cucumber

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivation in commercial greenhouses occupies an important section of vegetable production in Iran. Root-knot nematode...     

Entomopathogenic fungi and plant essential oils are not compatible in controlling Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and essential oils (EOs) can show either positive or negative interactions when used for controlling insect pests. First, the...     

Effects of onion on serum uric acid levels and hepatic xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase activities in hyperuricemic rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of onion on serum uric acid levels and hepatic Xanthine Dehydrogenase/Xanthine Oxidase activities in normal and hyperuricemic rats. Hyperuricemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 250 mg kg(-1) potassium oxonate in rats. Oral administration of onion at 3.5 and 7.0 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 7 days was able to reduce serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats with no significant effects on the level of this compound in the normal animals. In addition, onion when tested in vivo on rat liver homogeneities elicited significant inhibitory actions on the Xanthine Dehydrogenase (XDH) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) activities. This effect resulted less potent than that of allopurinol. However, the hypouricemic effect observed in the experimental animal did not seem to parallel the change in XDH and XO activities, implying that the onion might be acting via other mechanisms apart from simple inhibition of enzyme activities. Such hypouricemic action and enzyme inhibitory activity of onion makes it a possible alternative for allopurinol, or at least in combination therapy to minimize the side-effects of allopurinol, in particular in long-term application.     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of dietary soybean vs. casein proteins in a crossed over diets in rat

To investigate the effects of dietary proteins on the level of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL), 32 male Wistar rats were randomly divided in control and 3 experimental groups (El, E2 and E3). The feeding regimes of rats were as follow: control, standard diet; E1, a cholesterol free diet containing 20% soybean protein; E2, a cholesterol free diet containing 20% casein and E3, a cholesterol free diet containing 10% soybean protein and 10% casein. The experimental period was 11 weeks but at the end of 7th week the diets of E1 and E2 groups were crossed over for the next 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected weekly, via the ophthalmic sinus and the serum levels TC, TG and HDL were measured. In comparison with control group, the results show that at the end of 7th week TC levels in E1 and E2 groups were significantly (p<0.05) increased while HDL level unchanged and the TC value of E2 was bigger (not significant) than E1. However by crossing over the diets, the TC level was significantly (p<0.05) diminished in E2 while TG value remarkably (p<0.05) increased. These results indicate that soybean protein may insert its hypocholesterolemic effect in hypercholestrolemic condition than in normolipidemic condition.     

The response of wildtype and mutant cultivars of soybean to salt stress - comparing vegetative and reproductive phases on the basis of leaf biochemical contents,RWC, and stomatal conductance

Soybean, as a major oilseed crop, is cultivated in many parts of the world including saline-affected regions. A four-replicated factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with five salinity levels (control, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl) and five wild-type and new mutant cultivars of soybean (Williams, Clark, M-4, M-7, and M-9) was done at two vegetative and reproductive phases to study leaf oxidants, antioxidants and osmolytes under salinity stress. The vegetative phase demonstrated higher K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, cell membrane stability, relative water content (RWC) and stomatal conductance to H₂O (gs) accompanied with lower oxidative stress, antioxidants and osmolytes contrasting to reproductive phase. At both phenological phases, saline stress stimulated antioxidative defense owing to the enhancement of oxidative stress. The results indicated that mutants possessed a better antioxidative system than their wild-types.     

DNA vaccine encoding avian influenza virus H5 and Esat-6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis improved antibody responses against AIV in chickens

The H5 gene of avian influenza virus (AIV) strain A/chicken/Malaysia/5744/2004(H5N1) was cloned into pcDNA3.1 vector, and Esat-6 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was fused into downstream of the H5 gene as a genetic adjuvant for DNA vaccine candidates. The antibody level against AIV was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Sera obtained from specific-pathogen-free chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5 and pcDNA3.1/H5/Esat-6 demonstrated antibody responses as early as 2 weeks after the first immunization. Furthermore, the overall HI antibody titer in chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5/Esat-6 was higher compared to the chickens immunized with pcDNA3.1/H5 (p < 0.05). The results suggested that Esat-6 gene of M. tuberculosis is a potential genetic adjuvant for the development of effective H5 DNA vaccine in chickens.     

Production of monoclonal antibody against recombinant bovine sex-determining region Y (SRY) and their preferential binding to Y chromosome-bearing sperm

Separation of X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm is an appropriate method for the selection of desired sex of offspring to increase the profit in livestock industries. The purpose of this study was the production of a monoclonal antibody against recombinant bovine sex-determining region Y protein for separation Y sperm. The hybridoma cells from splenocytes of immunized female's balb/C mice and Sp2/0 cells were made. The binding affinity of our monoclonal antibody (mAbSRY2) was compared with mouse monoclonal SRY-15. The Western blot method indicated that mAbSRY2 successfully detected the rbSRY protein. The specificity and sensitivity of mAbSRY2 is comparable to SRY-15 commercially ones. The SRY gene in 100% of bull semen contains the Y chromosome that had the strongest binding affinity to mAbSRY2 was synthesized. In other words, the binding affinity of semen contains the X sperms near the negative control. In general, this immunological method can help to separate X from Y sperms. However, the mAbSRY2 is bind to Y-bearing sexed sperm, but in the future; the sexed sperms need to apply in farms.     

Induction of Immunogenic Response in BALB/c Mice by Live and Killed Form of Recombinant Lactococcus lactis Displaying EG95 of Echinococcus granulosus

Background:CE is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus worldwide and is associated with economic losses among livestock animals. EG95 is an immunogenic antigen from the E. granulosus. Lactococcus lactis has been prested as a safe vehicle for antigen delivery. The goal of this study was to design a novel L. lactis strain displaying EG95 as a vaccine delivery system. Methods:The eg95 encoding gene fragment fused to the M6 anchoring protein was cloned into the pNZ7021 vector, and L. lactis NZ9000 displaying recombinant EG95 was constructed. The expression of an approximately 32-kDa EG95 protein was confirmed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. The immune responses were evaluated in BALB/c mice immunized orally and subcutaneously with the live and killed recombinant L. lactis, respectively. Results:Total IgG level in mice immunized with heat-killed recombinant L. lactis (pNZ7021-eg95) significantly increased compared to the control group. sIgA was significantly higher in mice received live recombinant L. lactis (pNZ7021-eg95) compared to the control mice. Splenic lymphocytes from immunized mice represented the high levels of IFN-γ and the low-levels of IL-4 and IL-10. Conclusion:Our results indicate that immunization with EG95-expressing L. lactis can induce both specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Key Words: Echinococcus granulosus, Lactococcus lactis, Immunization, Vaccines     

Anthraquinones and Their Analogues from Marine-Derived Fungi: Chemistry and Biological Activities

Anthraquinones are an interesting chemical class of polyketides since they not only exhibit a myriad of biological activities but also contribute to managing ecological roles. In this review article, we provide a current knowledge on the anthraquinoids reported from marine-derived fungi, isolated from various resources in both shallow waters such as mangrove plants and sediments of the mangrove habitat, coral reef, algae, sponges, and deep sea. This review also tentatively categorizes anthraquinone metabolites from the simplest to the most complicated scaffolds such as conjugated xanthone–anthraquinone derivatives and bianthraquinones, which have been isolated from marine-derived fungi, especially from the genera Apergillus, Penicillium, Eurotium, Altenaria, Fusarium, Stemphylium, Trichoderma, Acremonium, and other fungal strains. The present review, covering a range from 2000 to 2021, was elaborated through a comprehensive literature search using the following databases: ACS publications, Elsevier, Taylor and Francis, Wiley Online Library, MDPI, Springer, and Thieme. Thereupon, we have summarized and categorized 296 anthraquinones and their derivatives, some of which showed a variety of biological properties such as enzyme inhibition, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antitubercular (against Mycobacterium tuberculosis), cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antifouling, and antioxidant activities. In addition, proposed biogenetic pathways of some anthraquinone derivatives are also discussed.