Activities of Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism Enzymes of Sorghum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> L. Moench) During Seed Development

Carbon and nitrogen metabolism pathways are regulated by complex mechanisms in order to optimize growth and development of plants and play a major role in determining the amount of protein stored in cereal grains. This study was conducted to contribute to determine the roles of certain key enzymes of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in developing sorghum seeds. Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench was grown in a growth chamber. Seeds were harvested at various stages of development and used to the analysis of certain key enzymes of carbon and nitrogen metabolism. The results were subjected to stastistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test. The results showed that during the seed development the highest activities of glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase were detected at the time of maximum seed filling stages (15-20 DAP). Hence, higher activities of these enzymes at the time of maximum seed-filling stages could be effectively linked to amino acids synthesis and therefore the deposition of protein reserves.     

Environmental management and biological aspects of the two eriophyoid fig mites Aceria ficus (Cotte) and Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer in Egypt

Mites associated with abandoned fig trees in Egypt were observed during a 2-year study. This study included species diversity and seasonal fluctuations as well as some biological aspects of common eriophyoid species. Three phytophagous species consisted of the fig bud mite Aceria ficus (Cotte), the fig leaf mite Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer and the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, representing a basic trophic level, were fed upon by three of predacious mites (Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor), Amblyselus swirskii Athias-Henriot, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez). Population abundance of the injurious mites were affected by the prevailing climatic conditions, action of predators and leaf age. A control measure of one summer pesticide (abamectin) application throughout the year seemed to be the most successful management of harmful mites. Life table parameters showed that the population of A. ficus multiplied 28.52 times in a generation time of 17.90 days, while R. ficifoliae population increased 16.50 times in a generation time of 14.61 days. Field and laboratory studies indicated that the viviparity is a typical character in the reproduction of R. ficifoliae.     

Qualitative and quantitative studies of the inferior olivary complex in the water buffalo (Buballus bubalis)

The shape and neuronal number of the inferior olivary complex (IOC) were determined in the water buffalo (Buballus bubalis). The configuration and interrelations of the IOC compartments were ascertained by investigating serial sections through the whole rostro-caudal extent of the IOC. Nissl-stained celloidin sections of six water buffalo's brainstems were used. The IOC in the water buffalo consisted of three major nuclei and four small cell groups. The medial accessory olivary nucleus (MAO) had the longest rostro-caudal extent as well as the highest number of neurons (98,000 +/- 3,000). Although the total area of the principal olivary nucleus (PO) was smaller than the area of the dorsal accessory olivary nucleus (DAO), the PO had the second largest neuronal number. The total number of neurons on both sides of the IOC was 210,000 +/- 7,000 cells. The average neuronal density was 3,000 cells/mm3. Although the size of the PO relatively increases while the size of MAO decreases with the development of the cerebellar hemispheres, the IOC in most mammals maintains a similar structure except for the higher primates and marsupials. The water buffalo IOC showed morphological similarities to the almost all mammalian IOC including rats as follow; the main part of the MAO consists of three subgroups (a, b and c), the DAO is Boomerang-shaped while the PO is a simple U-shaped structure.     

Organic,inorganic and nanoparticles of Se,Zn and Mn in early weaning diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata; Linnaeus, 1758)

Levels of the oxidative stress‐related minerals selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) that should be supplied in microdiets for marine fish larvae depend on the availability of the molecular form of these minerals. The objective of this study was to determine how effectively Se, Zn and Mn in organic, inorganic and nanoparticle forms promote larval performance and bone development. Microdiets supplemented with Se, Zn and Mn were fed for 24 days to 20 dah seabream larvae. Microdiets without Se, Zn and Mn supplementation were associated with poor growth, low bone mineralization and a high incidence of anomalies in the branchial arches. Including Zn, Mn and Se in an amino acid chelate organic form promoted maximum larval growth, increased body lipid reserves, enhanced early mineralization and prevented branchial arches anomalies. In contrast, feeding with inorganic forms of these minerals was less effective than organic minerals in improving larval weight or bone mineralization in comparison to the non‐supplemented diet. Moreover, the larvae were less resistant to stress, and fish showed higher bone anomalies in the pre‐hemal region. Adding Zn, Mn and Se in the form of nanometals did not enhance growth, but improved stress resistance and bone mineralization. The study showed the need to supplement seabream with early weaning diets based on squid meal and krill oil with one or more of the antioxidant minerals, to promote larval growth, bone mineralization and prevention of skeleton anomalies, organic minerals being more effective than inorganic forms and nanometals in promoting mineralization and stress resistance.     

Anticancer Effects of New Ceramides Isolated from the Red Sea Red Algae Hypnea musciformis in a Model of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma: LC-HRMS Analysis Profile and Molecular Modeling

Different classes of phytochemicals were previously isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis as sterols, ketosteroids, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Herein, we report the isolation of three fatty acids—docosanoic acid 4, hexadecenoic acid 5, and alpha hydroxy octadecanoic acid 6—as well as three ceramides—A (1), B (2), and C (3)—with 9-methyl-sphinga-4,8-dienes and phytosphingosine bases. Additionally, different phytochemicals were determined using the liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HRMS) technique. Ceramides A (1) and B (2) exhibited promising in vitro cytotoxic activity against the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line when compared with doxorubicin as a positive control. Further in vivo study and biochemical estimation in a mouse model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) revealed that both ceramides A (1) and B (2) at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg, respectively, significantly decreased the tumor size in mice inoculated with EAC cells. The higher dose (2 mg/kg) of ceramide B (2) particularly expressed the most pronounced decrease in serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor -B (VEGF-B) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) markers, as well as the expression levels of the growth factor midkine in tumor tissue relative to the EAC control group. The highest expression of apoptotic factors, p53, Bax, and caspase 3 was observed in the same group that received 2 mg/kg of ceramide B (2). Molecular docking simulations suggested that ceramides A (1) and B (2) could bind in the deep grove between the H2 helix and the Ser240-P250 loop of p53, preventing its interaction with MDM2 and leading to its accumulation. In conclusion, this study reports the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects of ceramides isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis in an experimental model of EAC.     

Understanding veterinary practitioners' decision-making process: implications for veterinary medical education

Understanding how veterinary practitioners make clinical decisions, and how they use scientific information to inform their decisions, is important to optimize animal care, client satisfaction, and veterinary education. We aimed to develop an understanding of private practitioners' process of decision making. On the basis of a grounded-theory qualitative approach, we conducted a telephone survey and semi-structured face-to-face interviews. We identified a decision-making framework consisting of two possible processes to make decisions, five steps in the management of a clinical case, and three influencing factors. To inform their decision, veterinary surgeons rarely take the evidence-based medicine (EBM) approach. They consult first-opinion colleagues, specialists, laboratories, and the Internet rather than scientific databases and peer-reviewed literature, mainly because of limited time. Most interviewees suggested the development of educational interventions to better develop decision-making skills in veterinary schools. Adequate information and EBM tools are needed to optimize the time spent in query and assessment of scientific information, and practitioners need to be trained in their use.     

Effect of pH on Zinc Adsorption and Solubility in Suspensions of Different Clays and Soils

Zinc solubility in clay and soil suspensions was controlled by chemisorption at pH 4.5 – 7.0. The solubility in clay mineral suspensions was in the order palygorskite < montmorillonite « kaolinite and reflected the high affinity of zinc to palygorskite and the high CEC of montmorillonite. The solubility in soil suspensions was in the order Haplustoll < Torrifluvents and reflected the effect of high CEC and organic matter content of the first. The slopes of the pH-pZn curves, calculated zinc potential and sequential desorption data suggested that Zn⁺⁺ ? Zn(OH)₂ aqueous controlled the solubility of zinc in soil and clay mineral suspensions at pH 7.5 – 9.0. The slopes of the pH–pZn curves of two soils were, however, modified by the possible peptization of organic matter and Zn(OH)₂.     

Biological effects of some isolatedAbrus precatorius L. alkaloids towardsTetranychus urticae Koch

Three main alkaloids isolated fromAbrus precatorius L. seeds have been tested againstTetranychus urticae Koch. Hypaphorine was the most efficient alkaloid isolated fromA. precatorius seeds against the two-spotted spider mite where the pre-oviposition period was relatively elongated and the oviposition period was significantly shortened in comparison to the other two isolated alkaloids tested. Also, the fecundity of the females was drastically reduced in all treatments in comparison to the control.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden die wichtigsten 3 Alkaloide aus den Samen vonAbrus precatorius gewonnen und im Labor gegen die SpinnmilbeTetranychus urticae angewandt. Hypophorine erwies sich als wirksamstes Alkaloid. Es führte zur Verlängerung der Prä-Ovipositionsperiode und zur Verkürzung der Eilegeperiode im Vergleich zu den zwei anderen Alkaloiden. Auch wurde die Fruchtbarkeit der Weibchen drastisch reduziert, und zwar durch alle 3 Wirkstoffe im Vergleich zur Kontrolle.

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With 2 figures and one table     

Environmental management and biological aspects of the two eriophyoid fig mites Aceria ficus (Cotte) and Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer in Egypt

Mites associated with abandoned fig trees in Egypt were observed during a 2-year study. This study included species diversity and seasonal fluctuations as well as some biological aspects of common eriophyoid species. Three phytophagous species consisted of the fig bud mite Aceria ficus (Cotte), the fig leaf mite Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer and the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, representing a basic trophic level, were fed upon by three of predacious mites (Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor), Amblyselus swirskii Athias-Henriot, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez). Population abundance of the injurious mites were affected by the prevailing climatic conditions, action of predators and leaf age. A control measure of one summer pesticide (abamectin) application throughout the year seemed to be the most successful management of harmful mites. Life table parameters showed that the population of A. ficus multiplied 28.52 times in a generation time of 17.90 days, while R. ficifoliae population increased 16.50 times in a generation time of 14.61 days. Field and laboratory studies indicated that the viviparity is a typical character in the reproduction of R. ficifoliae.