Chrysin Reduced Acrylamide-Induced Neurotoxicity in Both in vitro and in vivo Assessments

Background: Acrylamide (ACR) is a well-known industrial toxic chemical that produces neurotoxicity, which is characterized by progressive central and peripheral neuronal degeneration. Chrysin is a natural, biologically active flavonoid compound, which is commonly found in many plants. The antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of chrysin have been demonstrated. Methods: In this study, the possible effect of chrysin on ACR-induced toxicity was evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. PC12 cells were used as a suitable in vitro model. Cells were exposed to chrysin (0.5-5 µM) for 12 and 24 h, and then ACR in IC₅₀ concentration was added to the cells. Finally, cell viability was determined using (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assay. For in vivo assay, Wistar rats were treated with ACR (50 mg/kg i.p. for 11 days) alone or in combination with chrysin (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg). At the end of treatment, behavioral index was evaluated. Results: ACR decreased cell viability and pre-treatment with chrysin (0.5-5 µM) significantly decreased ACR-induced cytotoxicity in the time- and dose-dependent manner. In Wistar rats, exposure to ACR significantly induced severe gait abnormalities, but treatment with chrysin (50 mg/kg) reduced ACR-induced neurotoxicity in animals. Conclusion: In the current study, chrysin exhibited neuroprotective effect on PC12 cells as an in vitro model and also on Wistar rats. Iran. Key Words: Acrylamide, Chrysin, Neurotoxicity, Antioxidant     

Total and differential bulk cow milk somatic cell counts and their relation with lipolysis

Endocrine system plays a major role in the control of reproductive functions which are regulated by the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and its interactions. FSH and LH receptor genes are expressed at the gonads and GnRH receptor gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland. Misense mutations of the FSH, LH or GnRH receptors, activating or inactivating their functions in mammals, are potentially useful to allow the understanding of the role of this group of gonadotropins in reproductive phenotypes as early puberty and birth interval length. In the present study, polymorphisms in bovine exon 11 and 3′UTR of LHR, exon 10 and 3′UTR of FSHR and GnRHR genes were characterized with some of them resulting in changes in the aminoacidic chain. These polymorphic sites were found in a Bos taurus indicus (Nellore) female population by means of PCR–SSCP and DNA sequencing. Association between nucleotidic/aminoacidic changes and early puberty were determined by Chi-square analysis. It was found association between FSHR 3′UTR polymorphisms at position 2181, 2248 and 2249 bp and early puberty phenotype (p < 0.05). The presence of these new molecular markers might be considered in further studies to validate its correlation with early puberty or other reproduction associated phenotypes in cattle breeds.     

Optimal conjunctive use of aqua-agriculture reservoir and irrigation canal for paddy fields (case study: Tajan irrigation network,Iran)

Paddy and Water Environment - Aqua-agriculture reservoirs have been used as one of the main resources for supplying water to paddy fields, particularly under water shortage conditions. In this...     

A Nondestructive,Remote Sensing-Based Estimation of the Economic Value of Aboveground Temperate Forest Biomass (Case Study: Hyrcanian Forests,Nowshahr-Iran)

ABSTRACT

Background: Traditional field-based methods of measurement of biomass and carbon storage face difficulty in collecting time-consuming and expensive, suggests the use of remote sensing-based techniques. It estimates the economic value of the aboveground biomass (AGB) using satellite remote sensing across the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Methods: The Landsat-8 OLI sensor data were combined with field-based allometric information of 186 circular sample plots. The AGB was calculated at the plot level using the collected data and specific volumetric mass for species in the studied area. It was followed by calculating the carbon storage using a 50% carbon coefficient and the photosynthesis equation at the forest parcel level. Model results using the random forest and support vector machines. The carbon sequestration value was calculated with USD 25.3 as a shadow value of carbon in 2014 and using the replacement cost approach. Results: The highest performances achieved by RF for biomass, carbon storage and the carbon storage value (Iranian Rials of 0.67% and 16%, respectively). The value was derived once at the plot level of 12.22 million IRR (370.43 USD) per ha. In addition, at the parcel level, which resulted in an estimated value of 12.87 million IRR (390.24 USD) per ha.     

Modeling the relationship between the main emulsion components and stability, viscosity, fluid behavior, zeta-potential, and electrophoretic mobility of orange beverage emulsion using response surface methodology

The possible relationships between the main emulsion components (namely, Arabic gum, xanthan gum, and orange oil) and the physicochemical properties of orange beverage emulsion were evaluated by using response surface methodology. The physicochemical emulsion property variables considered as response variables were emulsion stability, viscosity, fluid behavior, zeta-potential, and electrophoretic mobility. The independent variables had the most and least significant ( p < 0.05) effect on viscosity and zeta-potential, respectively. The quadratic effect of orange oil and Arabic gum, the interaction effect of Arabic gum and xanthan gum, and the main effect of Arabic gum were the most significant ( p < 0.05) effects on turbidity loss rate, viscosity, viscosity ratio, and mobility, respectively. The main effect of Arabic gum was found to be significant ( p < 0.05) in all response variables except for turbidity loss rate. The nonlinear regression equations were significantly ( p < 0.05) fitted for all response variables with high R (2) values (>0.86), which had no indication of lack of fit. The results indicated that a combined level of 10.78% (w/w) Arabic gum, 0.56% (w/w) xanthan gum, and 15.27% (w/w) orange oil was predicted to provide the overall optimum region in terms of physicochemical properties studied. No significant ( p > 0.05) difference between the experimental and the predicted values confirmed the adequacy of response surface equations.     

Biological control of weeds: research by the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service: selected case studies

Research by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on biological control of weeds has been practiced for many years because of its inherent ecological and economic advantages. Today, it is further driven by ARS adherence to Presidential Executive Order 13112 (3 February 1999) on invasive species and to USDA-ARS policy toward developing technology in support of sustainable agriculture with reduced dependence on non-renewable petrochemical resources. This paper reports examples or case studies selected to demonstrate the traditional or classical approach for biological control programs using Old World arthropods against Tamarix spp, Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav) ST Blake and Galium spurium L/G aparine L, and the augmentative approach with a native plant pathogen against Pueraria lobata Ohwi = P montana. The examples illustrated various conflicts of interest with endangered species and ecological complexities of arthropods with associated microbes such as nematodes.     

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of a functional GSTmu class from the cattle tick Boophilus annulatus

A full-length cDNA of a glutathione S-transferase (GST) was cloned from a cDNA library of the local Egyptian cattle tick Boophilus annulatus. The 672 bp cloned fragment was sequenced and showed an open reading frame encoding a protein of 223 amino acids. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with GSTs from other species revealed that the sequence is closely related to the mammalian mu-class GST. The cloned gene was expressed in E. coli under T7 promotor of pET-30b vector, and purified under native conditions. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band on 12% SDS-PAGE and has a molecular weight of 30.8 kDa including the histidine tag of the vector. The purified enzyme was assayed upon the chromogenic substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and the recombinant enzyme showed high level of activity even in the presence of the beta-galactosidase region on its 5' end and showed maximum activity at pH 7.5. The Km values for CDNB and GSH were 0.57 and 0.79 mM, respectively. The over expressed rBaGST showed high activity toward CDNB (121 units/mg protein) and less toward DCNB (29.3 units/mg protein). rBaGST exhibited peroxidatic activity on cumene hydroperoxide sharing this property with GSTs belonging to the GST alpha class. I50 values for cibacron blue and bromosulfophthalein were 0.22 and 8.45 microM, respectively, sharing this property with the mammalian GSTmu class. Immunoblotting revealed the presence of the GST molecule in B. annulatus protein extracts; whole tick, larvae, gut, salivary gland and ovary. Homologues to the GSTmu were also detected in other tick species as Hyalomma dromedarii and Rhipicephalus sp. while in Ornithodoros moubata, GSTmu homologue could not be detected.     

Losses of Solids,Moisture, Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium,Carbon, and Sulfur from Laying-Hen Manure in Storage Facilities

The losses of total solids, moisture, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), carbon (C), and sulfur (S) were determined in two storage events of laying-hen manure immediately removed from three different housing systems in Iowa, USA. The three laying-hen houses were conventional cage (CC), enriched colony (EC), and aviary (AV). The houses held a nominal number of 200,000, 46,700, and 50,000 Lohmann LSL lite layers, respectively. The manure collected on belts in each house was cleaned out twice a week. A fraction of the cleaned out manure was transferred to designated storage rooms wherein losses of different components were determined in two storage events. Manure was loaded into the storage rooms over 171 days during the first storage event and over 185 days during the second storage event. The total storage periods were 202 and 245 days, respectively, for the first and second storage events. Manure was weighed, sampled, and analyzed before it was loaded into the storage rooms and at the end of each storage event. Mass balance calculations were used to determine the losses of different components. Statistical analyses show that the nutrient contents, on a wet basis, of manure loaded in CC, AV, and EC storage rooms were significantly different due to the differences in manure moisture contents. However, on a dry basis, they had no significant differences. The fresh manure cleaned out from the EC layer house was drier than that from the other two houses. Loaded-in nitrogen losses in the CC, AV, and EC storage rooms were 24.6, 12.9, and 20.8%, respectively. Nitrogen losses depended on house temperature, manure moisture, and pH. The average losses of loaded-in manure mass, moisture, and total solids during the two storage events were 27.6?±?1.9, 33.8?±?8.3, and 20.8?±?7.0%, respectively. The losses of N, P, K, C, and S were 19.4?±?13.4, 11.7?±?5.6, 10.2?±?6.8, 27.0?±?6.5, and 8.3?±?8.5% of their loaded-in amounts, respectively. The total loss of N, P, K, C, and S was 56% of the total loaded-in solids loss; thereof, the loss of N, P, and K was 7%, and C loss was 48%. The laying-hen-specific losses of N, P, K, C, and S were 0.34, 0.05, 0.08, 3.2 and 0.019 g day^?1 hen^?1, respectively. The results of this research are important for assessing impacts of stored manure on environment and nutrient losses. They can also be used to develop methodologies for the mitigation of the emissions from egg production facilities.     

Response of multiple seeded cocklebur and other cocklebur types to herbicide treatment

Multiple seeded cocklebur has been found in the last decade in Texas, and described as a biotype of Xanthium strumarium L with up to 25 seeds per bur instead of the usual two. The multiple seeded bur typically produces up to nine seedlings, causing concern that it may be harder to control than normal seeded common cocklebur. The efficacies of a series of fungal and conventional commercial herbicides have been compared in the greenhouse on seedlings of multiple seeded cocklebur from Texas (MSC-TX) and normal common cockleburs from Texas (NCC-TX), Arkansas (NCC-AR), Illinois (NCC-ILL) and two from Mississippi (NCC-MS#1, NCC-MS#2). Three measures of herbicidal activity (reductions in plant height and dry weight, and mortality) were used. The fungal herbicide Alternaria helianthi (Hansf) Tubaki & Nishihara at 1 x 10(5) conidia ml(-1) + 2 g liter(-1) Silwet L-77 with an 8-h dew period was an effective herbicide with all biotypes, as were the commercial chemical herbicides chlorimuron (14.8 g ha(-1)), imazaquin (29.6 g ha(-1)), sodium hydrogen methylarsonate (MSMA; 279.1 g ha(-1)) and imazethapyr (39.5 g ha(-1)). The membrane-disrupting organic arsenical MSMA was effective with all biotypes, whereas commercial chemical herbicides which act by inhibiting branched-chain amino acid synthesis (chlorimuron, imazaquin and imazethapyr) were less effective against normal seeded common cocklebur biotypes with short stature. These studies showed that multiple seeded cocklebur was at least as susceptible to the biological agent A helianthi and to the conventional commercial herbicides studied as were normal seeded cockleburs, suggesting that existing methods should be adequate to control this novel biotype.