Anti-acne activity of tannin-related compounds isolated from Terminalia laxiflora

In our investigation to find out new anti-acne agent, we focused on Terminalia laxiflora Engl & Diels (Combretaceae) methanolic wood extract, which has been selected during previous screening experiments for anti-acne agents, which included 29 species of Sudanese medicinal plants. Based on the biologically guided fractionation using an antibacterial assay against Propionibacterium acnes, a lipase inhibitory assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay; five tannin-related compounds were isolated, such as ellagic acid, flavogallonic acid dilactone, terchebulin and gallic acid. Terchebulin showed good antibacterial activity; minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 125 μg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) = 250 μg/ml. Gallic acid exhibited lipase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 149.3 μM, which showed strong inhibition compared with terchebulin, IC₅₀ 260.7 μM. However, all compounds exhibited better or equal DPPH radical scavenging activity to (+)-catechin as positive control. Ellagic acid and terchebulin showed the best DPPH radical scavenging activities, IC₅₀ 4.86 and 4.90 μM, respectively. This study demonstrated that terchebulin has potentiality as an anti-acne agent.     

Toxicity of three insecticides and tobacco extract against the fungus gnat, Lycoriella auripila and the economic injury level of the gnat on button mushroom

Lycoriella auripila (Winnertz) (Diptera: Sciaridae) is one of the most frequently seen pests of cultivated mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. The effects of different concentrations of diazinon, imidacloprid and deltamethrin, and tobacco extract were tested against L. auripila on varieties 737 and A15 of button mushroom. Also, economic injury level (EIL) of fungus gnat was evaluated on variety 737. Different varieties of button mushroom were cultured and weight of harvested mushrooms was recorded to provide an estimate of yield loss. A linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between pest density and mushroom yield. Imidacloprid was the most effective insecticide against L. auripila on both varieties and caused 100 % control at the highest tested concentration. The lowest concentration of diazinon (500 ppm a.i.) increased pest emergence on 737 and A15. This is possibly due to the hormoligosis. Deltamethrin and tobacco extract were ineffective against fungus gnat between both varieties. High levels of adults of L. auripila were associated with significant reduction in mushroom yield. EIL were calculated according to the number of L. auripila required to cause the critical yield loss from the predictive model and by control costs, mushroom price, and the reduction of injury due to spraying by imidacloprid and diazinon. The lowest values of EIL were related to imidacloprid compared with diazinon. This is due to the different efficiency of these two insecticides, for it causes mortality in population of L. auripila. Based on this research, for the first time clear EILs are introduced to the button mushroom growers for treatment of L. auripila.     

Comparing Genotypes of Different Body Sizes for Growth-related Traits in Chickens. II. Feed Consumption Performance under Choice Feeding Using Commercial Starter Ration and Whole-grain Wheat

Three genotypes of chickens including one commercial broiler (CB) and two others from the Norwegian gene bank [Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) and Jærhøn (JH)] were raised from 1 day to 20 weeks of age with a free choice of a commercial starter ration and whole-grain wheat. Body weights and pen-feed intakes were recorded every 2 weeks. The weight–age data were fitted to a Gompertz growth equation where, among other parameters, adult body weights were estimated and used for size scaling. The heavier CB chickens consumed more food (starter and wheat) than the other two genotypes. The maximum proportions of whole-grain wheat in the diet were 0.56, 0.68 and 0.75 for BPR, CB and JH birds, respectively. Although the proportions of whole-grain wheat were similar between the genotypes as age progressed, their maintenance requirement and feed intakes relative to body weight suggested a major genetic role and a possible interplay of both genetic potential and body size.     

Combined effect of genetic and environmental factors on the accumulation of proteins in the wheat grain and their relationship to bread-making quality

Bread-making quality of wheat flour is largely determined by the accumulation, concentration and composition of the proteins in the grain, which are influenced by genetic (G) and environment (E) variation and their interactions. We have therefore evaluated the importance of G and E factors and their interactions in determining the accumulation and composition of the proteins in the wheat grain. The cultivar determined development time (CDDT), together with the amount and timing of N application, played a significant role in determining the accumulation and final composition of the wheat grain proteins, explaining 21–59% of the variation. At low temperature, N application both at spike formation and at anthesis explained the highest proportion of variation (36%) in the percentage of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) unextractable polymers in the total amount of polymers (% UPP), while at high temperature CDDT contributed most to the variation in % UPP (20%). The largest contributor to variation in the amount of total SDS extractable proteins (TOTE) was N application at anthesis, both at low and high temperatures (12% and 36%, respectively). Thus, the climate should be considered in recommendations for improving the protein quality and thereby the bread-making quality of wheat.     

Possible parachordoma in a dog

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 15-mm diameter mass developed in the S/C tissue overlying the right lateral gluteal muscle of a 6½-year-old female Flat-coated Retriever.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Cytological preparations following aspiration of the mass were highly cellular and consisted of a population of large polygonal cells containing single to multiple nuclei, large prominent nucleoli, and intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Histologically, the neoplasm consisted of similar large cells surrounded by thick fibrous connective tissue trabeculae. The large polygonal cells reacted positively with antibodies against vimentin, low- and high-molecular-weight variants of cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), but not with antibodies to desmin or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

DIAGNOSIS: The clinical, gross, histological and immunohistochemical findings are similar to those reported for parachordomas in humans. Neither recurrence nor metastases were noted 18 months after surgical excision of the mass.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first reported case of a possible parachordoma in a dog, a benign tumour with cytological features of malignancy.     

Pseudogout in two dogs

Extract

Pseudogout is a common condition in elderly people in which sudden onset of intense joint pain and synovitis develop. Peri-synovial calcium crystal deposition is the cause of the synovitis rather than the uric acid deposition in common gout. It is a rare condition in dogs, having only been reported twice before. Two dogs presenting with acute lameness and pyrexia showed many macrophages and occasional neutrophils containing intracellular crystals on cytological examination of synovial fluid. The crystals were single or multiple, small to large, clear, square or rhomboid-shaped, weakly birefringent and resembled those described for pseudogout. Occasional crystals were also present free in the matrix. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are effective in reducing pain in people with pseudogout provided no relief to either patient, but twice daily oral prednisolone therapy was successful. Dosage was gradually tapered as clinical signs improved over a period of 6 weeks.     

Influence of nitrogen application on dry biomass allocation and translocation in two maize varieties under short pre-anthesis and prolonged bracketing flowering periods of drought

Plants have evolved different mechanisms to survive under stress conditions. This field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of nitrogen (N) application on dry biomass allocation and translocation in two maize varieties under short pre-anthesis and prolonged bracketing flowering period of drought. Two maize varieties, ‘Pioneer 30B80? and ‘Suwan 4452? receiving N at 0 (control), 160 (optimal) and 320 (supra-optimal) kg ha^?1 were subjected to short pre-anthesis and prolonged bracketing flowering periods of drought. Prolonged bracketing flowering period of drought had more suppressive effect on anthesis-silking interval, dry matter allocation and translocation, leaf greenness, contribution of current assimilates to grain (CCAG), kernel number, kernel weight and kernel yield of two maize varieties than a short pre-anthesis drought. Nitrogen application at optimal level was the best for all traits, except CCAG. The maize variety ‘Pioneer 30B80? performed better under both drought types due to more root xylem vessels of large size and more accumulation of dry matter in leaves and roots than the variety ‘Suwan 4452?. Therefore, the variety ‘Pioneer 30B80? may be planted in drought prone environments and may be used in breeding program aimed at developing drought-tolerant cultivars.     

Enhancement of Depleted Loam Soil as Well as Cucumber Productivity Utilizing Biochar Under Water Stress

Biochar has recently received increased attention because it improves poor soil fertility. However, its potentiality to enhance soil physical properties under water stress conditions not yet deeply investigated. Hence, extensive field investigations were carried out to study the effects of biochar addition (BA) with deficit irrigation (DI) on soil bulk density (BD), porosity percentage (P%), soil moisture content (SMC%), soil hydraulic conductivity (K), cucumber yield and water use efficiency (WUE) during two consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017). The biochar treatments were B₀ (0 ton ha^?1), B₁ (10 ton ha^?1and B₂ (20 ton ha^?1), while the DI treatments were 1.0 (W₁), 0.60 (W₂) and 0.40 (W₃) of the reference evapotranspiration (ET₀). The parameters were measured at soil depths of 0–10 (d₁), 10–20 (d₂) and 20–30 cm (d₃) for measurement periods of before sowing (P₁), mid-season (P₂) and after harvest (P₃). The results showed that the B₂W₁ combination gave the highest yield (57 and 45.2 t ha^?1), WUE (10.94 and 11.27 kg m^?3), SMC (39.2 and 40.1%) in both seasons, respectively. The B₂W₃ had the highest porosity (47.5 and 46.1%) values at the d₁. Meanwhile, the lowest soil BD values of 1.1 and 1.05 g cm^?3 were obtained by the B₂W₁ at d₁ for 2.16 and 2017, respectively. Statistically, most of the parameters studied under B₂W₂ and B₀W₁ had non-significant differences between them. Hence, the addition of biochar with DI could be an integrated approach to address the drought stress, while enhancing soil and plant properties.     

Pollen morphology and trichome types of Betula spp. in the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran

Pollen and trichome morphology of the genus Betula were evaluated from three main habitats in Iran using light and electron microscopy.Pollen types were identical and tri-porate;however,in terms of quantitative data,some differences were observed in exine(outside)wall thickness,length of polar axis and length of equatorial axis,possibly due to the environment.Pollen alone is insufficient to separate species of Iranian birch.Investigation of the trichome trait(small hairs or other outgrowths)revealed that birch species in Iran belong to:(1)Betula litwinowii Doluch.according to the low density of trichomes on the adaxial surface of the leaves and the lack of trichomes on the abaxial surface and many trichomes on the petioles;(2)Betula pendula Roth.due to the absence of trichomes on the adaxial surface and the low density of trichomes on the abaxial surface;and,(3)in the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaves and petioles,the trichomes had different types of pilose(long,soft hairs),and this strengthens the possibility of a different species or more likely a hybrid of B.pendula.