Variations in the Composition,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Cystoseira compressa during Seasonal Growth

The underexplored biodiversity of seaweeds has recently drawn great attention from researchers to find the bioactive compounds that might contribute to the growth of the blue economy. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of seasonal growth (from May to September) on the in vitro antioxidant (FRAP, DPPH, and ORAC) and antimicrobial effects (MIC and MBC) of Cystoseira compressa collected in the Central Adriatic Sea. Algal compounds were analyzed by UPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF, and TPC and TTC were determined. Fatty acids, among which oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and palmitic acid were the dominant compounds in samples. The highest TPC, TTC and FRAP were obtained for June extract, 83.4 ± 4.0 mg GAE/g, 8.8 ± 0.8 mg CE/g and 2.7 ± 0.1 mM TE, respectively. The highest ORAC value of 72.1 ± 1.2 µM TE was obtained for the August samples, and all samples showed extremely high free radical scavenging activity and DPPH inhibition (>80%). The MIC and MBC results showed the best antibacterial activity for the June, July and August samples, when sea temperature was the highest, against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis. The results show C. compressa as a potential species for the industrial production of nutraceuticals or functional food ingredients.     

Use of mesotrione and tembotrione herbicides for post-emergence weed control in alkaloid poppy (Papaver somniferum)

Two field experiments were carried out a year apart on the alkaloid poppy (Papaver somniferum) in 2012 and 2013 in north-west Hungary, to assess the efficacy of mesotrione and tembotrione herbicides for post-emergence weed control. Our experiments tested (1) a single application of mesotrione at 144 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha^–1, (2) two separate applications of mesotrione at 144 g a.i. ha^–1, (3) a single application of tembotrione at 88 g a.i. ha^–1, (4) two separate applications of mesotrione at 88 g a.i. ha^–1, and (5) the combination of a single application of mesotrione at 144 g a.i. ha^–1 followed by a single application of tembotrione at 88 g a.i. ha^–1. Both non-treated and hand-weeded plots were used as controls. Among the most important weeds, Chenopodium album was most successfully controlled in the majority of the test treatments, but Fallopia convolvulus and Polygonum aviculare tolerated each herbicide application in 2012, likely due to the dry weather conditions. Because of the botanical similarity to the crop, none of the treatments proved to be significant against Papaver rhoeas. One dosage of tembotrione alone never reduced the dry weights of the target weed species or weed numbers significantly. The cuticular wax layer of the opium poppy can provide a natural defence against these herbicides, but some temporary phytotoxic yellowish discoloration occurred after tembotrione treatments. Our results show that mesotrione in combination with tembotrione is the most effective treatment and should be employed in poppy cultivation.     

Comparison of bread wheat varieties with different breeding origin under organic and low input management

In recent years needs have increased to investigate the necessity of breeding cereals for organic agriculture. The aims of this study were (1) to compare 37 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties with different breeding origin under low input conventional and certified organic farming conditions in Austria and Hungary for 3 years, (2) to identify traits highly sensitive to management systems that could be separated according to their suggested selecting environments and (3) to find evidence for the distinctness of organic wheat breeding. According to the results, seven out of the 15 traits assessed during this study showed significant management × genotype interaction meaning that these traits could be the basis of selection for different management systems. Heading date, sensitivity to leaf rust and powdery mildew had high repeatabilities. For economic reasons, it is therefore reasonable to select for these traits in conventional fields even if the selection target is organic agriculture. However, the present study suggests that selection for the other four traits (grain yield, test weight, leaf-inclination and vigorous growth during booting) should be done later in the target environment. The study compared groups of varieties developed by different breeding strategies (organic, conventional and combined strategies). The results of multivariate analyses showed that the organic breeding was distinct from the other two breeding strategies, but the combined and conventional breeding resulted in similar groupings. It is concluded that the selecting environment has measurable effects on the performance of bread wheat varieties under organic and low input growing conditions.     

Sono-oxidation of soils: degradation of naphthalene by sono-Fenton-like process

Purpose  

Sono-Fenton-like process was tested to degrade naphthalene in spiked soil utilizing mineral iron as a catalyst to generate radical species as well as to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method and to optimize the treatment conditions. The study assessed the relationships between the most significant process variables (initial naphthalene and hydrogen peroxide concentrations) and their response on naphthalene degradation efficiency using central composite design at various ultrasound irradiation intensities. The electrical energy per order was also calculated to illustrate economic benefits of this “hybrid” technique.     

First report of a malignant collision skin tumour with malignant melanoma and anaplastic sarcoma components in a dog

This paper describes the occurrence of a rare skin tumour that has been removed surgically from the upper lip of a 13-year-old Tibetan spaniel. The tumour was 0.5 cm in diameter and macroscopically appeared as a single dermal mass, but histopathological analysis identified it as a biphasic collision mixed tumour. In the anatomically uniform tumour, 70% (4 mm in diameter) of the total parenchyma was formed by a high-grade sarcoma (with the presence of giant cells), and about 30% of it (1 mm in diameter) was a malignant melanoma (again with the presence of giant cells). The histologically distinct, but anatomically uniform tumour parts were separated by a macroscopically invisible, non-neoplastic epithelial process originating from the overlying hyperplastic epidermis. The two malignant components did not infiltrate the peritumoural vessels and each other's substance. In the sarcoma part, the mitotic and apoptotic indexes were 32 and 8, respectively, whereas in the melanoma part the same parameters were 10 and 6, respectively. During the immunohistochemical investigations anti-α-SMA, anticytokeratin AE1-AE3, anti-Melan-A, anti-Ki-67 and anti-claudin-5 antibodies were applied. In conclusion, this is the first report of a primary cutaneous malignant biphasic collision mixed tumour formed by an anaplastic sarcoma with giant cells and a malignant melanoma.     

Manufacturing polymethyl methacrylate nanofibers as a support for enzyme immobilization

Nanofibers have a great potential for enzyme immobilization application due to their large surface area to volume ratio besides their porous structure. In this work, we produce polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers via electrospinning method in dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. Thereafter, we employ a chemical method on final PMMA nanofiberous web to covalently immobilize acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme on membrane surface. Morphology and tensile properties of nanofibers are studied as first steps of characterization to make sure of obtaining a properly stable membrane for enzyme carrying application. Thereafter, the stability and activity of immobilized enzymes as two main characteristic parameters are tested and reported for different applications such as biosensor manufacturing.     

Seasonal fertility differences in synchronised dairy cows: ultrasonic, metabolic and endocrine findings

The aim of this study was to identify relationships among seasonal differences of fertility, metabolic parameters and appearance of irregular luteal forms in high-yielding dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows were put on the Provsynch regimen in winter (n = 10) and in summer (n = 10). Blood sampling (starting 35 days post partum) and rectal ultrasound examinations (starting post insemination) were carried out once a week in each examination period. Metabolic [plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and serum beta-carotene] and endocrine parameters [plasma thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and insulin levels] were measured. In summer, two cows were excluded from the study because of metritis and none of the remaining animals became pregnant, but 6 of the 8 cows had irregular luteal forms (ILF) on their ovaries. In winter, one cow was excluded because of metritis and 6 of the 9 cows became pregnant, while 2 of the 3 open cows had irregular luteal forms. In summer the mean plasma NEFA and BHB concentrations were significantly higher, while serum carotene and plasma IGF-I concentrations were significantly lower than in winter. The high plasma NEFA concentration found in summer seemed to be in association with the lower body condition score (BCS) caused by depressed appetite. In conclusion, statistical analysis supports the hypothesis that increased plasma NEFA and BHB and decreased plasma IGF-I concentrations may result in reduced fertility in summer. These changes may be associated with the more frequent appearance of ILFs and probably have a negative effect on ovarian function and/or oocyte quality.     

Transmission and immunopathology of the avian influenza virus A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) human isolate in three commonly commercialized avian species

H7N9 virus infection is a global concern, given that it can cause severe infection and mortality in humans. However, the understanding of H7N9 epidemiology, animal reservoir species and zoonotic risk remains limited. This work evaluates the pathogenicity, transmissibility and local innate immune response of three avian species harbouring different respiratory distribution of α2,6 and α2,3 SA receptors. Muscovy ducks, European quails and SPF chickens were intranasally inoculated with 10⁵ embryo infectious dose (EID)₅₀ of the human H7N9 (A/Anhui/1/2013) influenza isolate. None of the avian species showed clinical signs or macroscopic lesions, and only mild microscopic lesions were observed in the upper respiratory tract of quail and chickens. Quail presented more severe histopathologic lesions and avian influenza virus (AIV) positivity by immunohistochemistry (IHC), which correlated with higher IL‐6 responses. In contrast, Muscovy ducks were resistant to disease and presented higher IFNα and TLR7 response. In all species, viral shedding was higher in the respiratory than in the digestive tract. Higher viral shedding was observed in quail, followed by chicken and ducks, which presented similar viral titres. Efficient transmission was observed in all contact quail and half of the Muscovy ducks, while no transmission was observed between chicken. All avian species showed viral shedding in drinking water throughout infection.     

Relationship between concentration of citrate and ketone bodies in cow's milk

The authors' hypothesis is that the members of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) such as citrate decrease in association with increased ketone body formation. To prove this hypothesis the connection between ketone bodies and citrate formation of milk was studied. A fluorimetric method was used to determine citrate and a headspace sampling gas chromatographic (GC) method was developed for determination of ketone bodies. Under real conditions of milk sampling, transport and storage, preserved milk samples of 119 clinically healthy dairy cows obtained in the 48 hours after milking were investigated. A low level of acetoacetate (ACAC) was found in all samples. This fact can be explained by the spontaneous decarboxylation of acetoacetate during sample storage (previously decarboxylised acetoacetate = pdACAC) and, consequently, the majority of the amount of acetoacetate in the samples (AC + pdACAC) appeared in the measured acetone concentrations. Based on the measured acetone concentration of milk samples two groups were formed retrospectively: HA (high-acetone) group (n = 41) with an AC + pdACAC concentration of > 0.4 mmol/l and a LA (low-acetone) group (n = 78) with an AC + pdACAC level of < or = 0.4 mmol/l. In the milk of cows of Group HA a positive correlation (r = +0.623) and linear connection between acetone (AC + pdACAC) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) levels was found [BOHB = 2.491 + 0.586 x (pdAC + ACAC)]. Furthermore, in this group a negative correlation between citrate and BOHB and AC + pdACAC was also established (r = -0.579). Focusing on the results of this group the authors found a significant drop of AC + pdACAC and citrate during the metabolically critical first 1-4 weeks of lactation. For this reason they suggest that simple, easy, automated methods (i.e. flow injection analysis, Fourier transformation infrared analysis) should be introduced for the simultaneous determination of acetone and citrate concentration in milk to make the evaluation of the energy status of high-producing dairy cows easier and more certain.