Study of Heavy Metal Accumulation and Residual Toxicity in Soil Saturated with Phosphate Processing Wastewater

The effects of phosphate processing wastewater (PPWW) on heavy metal accumulation in a Mediterranean soil (Tunisia, North Africa) were investigated. Moreover, the residual toxicities of PPWW-irrigated soils extracts were assessed. Results showed that heavy metal accumulation was significantly higher in PPWW-irrigated soil extracts than in control soil. The heavy metal accumulation increased over time in treated soil samples and their average values followed the following order: Iron (Fe 252.72 mg l^?1) > Zinc (Zn 152.95 mg l^?1) > Lead (Pb 128.35 mg l^?1) > Copper (Cu 116.82 mg l^?1) > Cadmium (Cd 58.03 mg l^?1). The residual microtoxicity and phytotoxicity of the various treated soil samples extracts were evaluated by monitoring the bioluminescence inhibition (BI %) of Vibrio ficheri and the measurement of the germination indexes (GI %) of Lepidium sativum and Medicago sativa seeds. The results showed an important increase of residual toxicities of PPWW-treated soil extracts over time.     

Performance,carcass characteristics and chemical composition of beef affected by lupine seed,rapeseed meal and soybean meal

To test the effects of different protein sources and levels on performance, carcass characteristics and beef chemical composition, concentrates with three protein sources [Lupine seed (L), Rapeseed meal (R) and Soybean meal (S)] and two protein levels [‘normal protein’ (NP) or ‘high protein’ (HP)] were fed to 36 Simmental calves. Calves initially weighed 276 ± 3.9 kg and averaged 6 months of age and were randomly allocated to the six treatments. Maize silage was offered ad libitum and supplemented with increasing amounts of concentrates (wheat, maize grain, protein sources, vitamin–mineral mix). Normal protein and HP diets were formulated to contain 12.4% and 14.0% crude protein (CP) dry matter (DM) respectively. At the end of the fattening period of 278 days, the final live weight averaged 683 ± 14.7 kg. Neither level of protein nor its interaction with protein sources had any effects on most of the traits studied. Feeding the R diet significantly increased final weight, average daily gain (ADG), DM intake and CP intake in relation to the L diet; no differences were observed between the L and S diets for these measures. No differences were observed between the R and S groups in final weight or ADG, but the calves fed the R diet consumed more DM and CP than the calves fed the S diet. Bulls fed R diet had higher carcass weight and dressing percentage than the L groups, and no significant differences were detected between the S and L groups. Chemical composition of the Musculus longissimus dorsi was not significantly affected by source of protein. Also, the major saturated fatty acid (SFA) (C16:0 and C18:0) did not significantly differ among the three treatments. Samples from R group had significantly higher proportions of C16:1 t9, C18:1 c11, C18:2 c9 t11, C18:3 c9, 12, 15 and ΣC18:1 t fatty acids in relation to L and S groups. Although polyunsaturated fatty acid/SFA ratio was similar for the three dietary groups, n‐6/n‐3 ratio and Σn‐3 fatty acids content were significantly greater for bulls fed R diet in relation to those fed L and S diets.     

Pre- and post-operative cardiac evaluation of dogs undergoing lobectomy and pneumonectomy

This study aimed to assess the influence of lobectomy and pneumonectomy on cardiac rhythm and on the dimensions and function of the right-side of the heart. Twelve dogs undergoing lobectomy and eight dogs undergoing pneumonectomy were evaluated preoperatively and one month postoperatively with electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiography at rest. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was estimated by the tricuspid regurgitation jet (TRJ) via the pulse wave Doppler velocity method. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria (SIRS) were also evaluated based on the clinical and hematological findings in response to lobectomy and pneumonectomy. Following lobectomy and pneumonectomy, we predominantly detected atrial fibrillation and varying degrees of atrioventricular block (AVB). Dogs that died within seven days of the lobectomy (n = 2) or pneumonectomy (n = 1) had complete AVB. Preoperative right atrial, right ventricular, and pulmonary artery dimensions increased gradually during the 30 days (p<0.05) following pneumonectomy, but did not undergo significant changes during that same period after lobectomy. Mean PASP was 56.0 ± 4.5 mmHg in dogs having significant TRJ after pneumonectomy. Pneumonectomy, but not lobectomy, could lead to increases (p<0.01) in the SIRS score within the first day post-surgery. In brief, it is important to conduct pre- and postoperative cardiac evaluation of dogs undergoing lung resections because cardiac problems are a common postoperative complication after such surgeries. In particular, complete AVB should be considered a life-threatening complication after pneumonectomy and lobectomy. In addition, pneumonectomy appears to increase the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension development in dogs.     

Fungicidal effect of hydroxytyrosol-rich preparations from olive mill wastewater against Verticillium dahliae

Verticillium dahliae cannot be reached by many fungicides during its parasitic phase inside the plants and few fungicides are available to cure plants once they are infected by this pathogen. A hydroxytyrosol-rich (29.27% weight/dry weight) olive mill wastewater (HROMW) and a hydroxytyrosol-rich (52.67% weight/dry weight) extract (HRE) were prepared from fresh olive mill wastewater (FOMW) using hydrolysis and post-hydrolysis purification processes, and were tested as bio-fungicides. The HROMW and HRE showed strong fungicidal activity in vitro against V. dahliae with minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of 28–56 mg L⁻¹ (dry weight). The HROMW and HRE at 15 g L⁻¹ (dry weight) resulted in a reduction in the viability of V. dahliae by >4 log units after 30 min of contact time according to European Standard EN 1275 (1997) standard method. In tomato pot growth experiments incorporation of HROMW and HRE into the soil reduced significantly Verticillium wilt disease incidence by 86 and 83% and wilt severity by 86 and 84.5%, respectively, compared to untreated plants.     

Effect of feeding intensity and time on feed on intramuscular fatty acid composition of Simmental bulls

Seventy-two Simmental bulls, weighing 489 kg initially and approximately 15 months old, were divided into four groups to determine the effects of feeding intensity and time on feed on intramuscular fatty acid (FA) composition. Two groups of 18 bulls each were extensively (E) or intensively (I) fed on maize silage and concentrates with a daily gain of 943 g (E) or 1371 g (I). Half of each group were slaughtered after 100 days (S) or 138 days (L) on feed. In addition to carcass fatness parameters, intramuscular FA composition was also measured. Only small differences in the sum of saturated FA (SFA) percentages were found with 47.7 and 47.5% FA methyl esters (FAME) for SE and LE, respectively, and 48.7% FAME for each of SI and LI. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) significantly increased with longer, and higher feeding intensity to 44.2% FAME (LI), whereas the other groups had similar contents of 41.9, 42.2 and 42.0% FAME (SE, LE and SI respectively). Polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) decreased with higher feeding intensity to 8.39% (SI) and 6.71% (LI) FAME (p < 0.05) in comparison with 9.48% (SE) and 9.54% (LE). Intensive feeding decreased the ratio of PUFA : SFA to 0.17 (SI) and 0.14 (LI, p < 0.05) in comparison with 0.20 (SE and LE). The mean conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration was 0.41% FAME. Time on feed had only a small effect on the FA composition compared with feeding intensity. No significant relationships were detected between meat quality attributes and the pattern of FA.     

High density cotton population in late sowing improves productivity and tolerance to cotton leaf curl virus under semi-arid subtropical conditions

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) is a menace to cotton productivity in Africa and Asia, especially in Pakistan. Early cotton planting is one of the options...     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of phenolic extracts and purified hydroxytyrosol recovered from olive mill wastewater in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet

In our previous studies, a phenolic-rich extract of olive mill wastewaters (OMW) was prepared under optimal conditions, using a continuous countercurrent extraction unit, and hydroxytyrosol was purified from the obtained OMW extract. The antioxidant activity of OMW extract and hydroxytyrosol was determined by a series of models in vitro. In this study, the hypocholesterolemic effects of hydroxytyrosol and OMW extract in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet were tested. Wistar rats, fed a standard laboratory diet or a cholesterol-rich diet for 16 weeks, were used. Serum lipid levels, as well as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in liver were examined. Cholesterol-rich diet-induced hypercholesterolemia was manifested in the elevation of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Administration of a low-dose (2.5 mg/kg of body weight) of hydroxytyrosol and a high-dose (10 mg/kg of body weight) of OMW extract significantly lowered the serum levels of TC and LDL-C while increasing the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, the TBARS contents in liver, heart, kidney, and aorta decreased significantly after oral administration of hydroxytyrosol and OMW extract as compared with those of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, OMW phenolics increased CAT and SOD activities in liver. These results suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effect of hydroxytyrosol and OMW extract might be due to their abilities to lower serum TC and LDL-C levels as well as slowing the lipid peroxidation process and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.     

The tides of Titan

We have detected in Cassini spacecraft data the signature of the periodic tidal stresses within Titan, driven by the eccentricity (e = 0.028) of its 16-day orbit around Saturn. Precise measurements of the acceleration of Cassini during six close flybys between 2006 and 2011 have revealed that Titan responds to the variable tidal field exerted by Saturn with periodic changes of its quadrupole gravity, at about 4% of the static value. Two independent determinations of the corresponding degree-2 Love number yield k(2) = 0.589 ± 0.150 and k(2) = 0.637 ± 0.224 (2σ). Such a large response to the tidal field requires that Titan's interior be deformable over time scales of the orbital period, in a way that is consistent with a global ocean at depth.