Determination of genotoxicity of Fenaminosulf by Allium and Comet tests

Genotoxic effects of Fenaminosulf, fungicide and micro-biocide, were examined by using mitotic index (MI), mitotic phase, and Comet assay on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. In the Allium root growth inhibition test, EC₅₀ value was firstly determined as 25 ppm and, 12.5 (0.5 × EC₅₀), 25 (EC₅₀) and 50 (2 × EC₅₀) ppm concentrations of Fenaminosulf were introduced to onion tuber roots. Distilled water was used as a negative control. All obtained data were subjected to statistical analyses by using SPSS 15.0 for Windows software. For comparison purposes, Duncan multiple range tests by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant value. While MI (except in 24 h at 12.5 and 50 ppm) and prophase index increased, metaphase, anaphase and telophase indexes decreased in all concentrations compared to control at each exposure time. A significant increase in DNA damage was also observed at the concentration of 25 ppm in 24 h, 25 and 50 ppm in 96 h by Comet assay.     

Efficacy of an inactivated recombinant vaccine encoding a fimbrial protein of Pasteurella multocida B:2 against hemorrhagic septicemia in goats

This study was carried out to determine the antibody responses and protective capacity of an inactivated recombinant vaccine expressing the fimbrial protein of Pasteurella multocida B:2 following intranasal vaccination against hemorrhagic septicemia in goats. Goats were vaccinated intranasal with 10⁶ CFU/mL of the recombinant vaccine (vaccinated group) and 10⁶ CFU/mL of pET32/LIC vector without fimbrial protein (control group). All three groups were kept separated before all goats in the three groups were challenged with 10⁹ CFU/mL of live pathogenic P. multocida B:2. During the course of study, both serum and lung lavage fluid were collected to evaluate the antibody levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that goats immunized with the inactivated recombinant vaccine developed a strong and significantly (p < 0.05) higher specific IgA and IgG responses in both serum and lung lavage fluid samples compared to the control and unvaccinated groups. Following intratracheal challenge, the rate of isolation was 17% for the vaccinated group, 67% for the control group and 100% for the unvaccinated group. However, none of the goat from the vaccinated group had P. multocida B:2 in the liver, tonsil and heart. Therefore, the study revealed that an inactivated recombinant vaccine significantly provides significant protection against high dose challenge and enhances the stimulation of the local and systemic immunities.     

Effects of Suni Bug (Eurygaster spp.) Damage on Milling Properties and Semolina Quality of Durum Wheats (Triticum durum L.)

Economic losses due to suni‐bug (Eurygaster spp. and Aelia spp.) damage are important for the cereal industry in East European and Middle East countries. Samples of five durum wheat cultivars (Diyarbakir, Firat, Ege, Svevo, and Zenith) with zero, medium, and high levels of suni‐bug damage were used to determine the effects of suni‐bug damage on milling properties and semolina quality. As the damage level increased, semolina yields of all cultivars decreased significantly. The loss of semolina yield was greater than decreases in total yield of semolina plus flour, indicating that semolina yields were affected to a higher extent than were flour yields. The ash contents of the semolina samples increased significantly in all cultivars with increasing suni‐bug damage. The falling number values were not correlated with suni‐bug damage level and amylase activities of all samples were quite low. The pasting properties did not differ to a great extent depending on the suni‐bug damage level. Gluten quality of semolina samples substantially deteriorated as suni‐bug damage level increased, as determined by SDS‐sedimentation and mixograph analyses. It was concluded that suni‐bug damage would decrease profits of durum wheat millers substantially by affecting semolina yield and quality.     

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Fucoidan Extracts In Vitro

Fucoidans are sulfated, complex, fucose-rich polymers found in brown seaweeds. Fucoidans have been shown to have multiple bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory effects, and are known to inhibit inflammatory processes via a number of pathways such as selectin blockade and enzyme inhibition, and have demonstrated inhibition of inflammatory pathologies in vivo. In this current investigation, fucoidan extracts from Undaria pinnatifida, Fucus vesiculosus, Macrocystis pyrifera, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Laminaria japonica were assessed for modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in a human macrophage line (THP-1). Fucoidan extracts exhibited no signs of cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells after incubation of 48 h. Additionally, all fucoidan extracts reduced cytokine production in LPS stimulated PBMCs and human THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Notably, the 5–30 kDa subfraction from Macrocystis pyrifera was a highly effective inhibitor at lower concentrations. Fucoidan extracts from all species had significant anti-inflammatory effects, but the lowest molecular weight subfractions had maximal effects at low concentrations. These observations on various fucoidan extracts offer insight into strategies that improve their efficacy against inflammation-related pathology. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the mechanism of action of these extracts.     

An investigation of the relationship between reproductive growth and yield loss in hazelnut

This study was carried out in Samsun during a 2-year period to examine the relationship between reproductive and yield loses in the ‘Tombul’ and ‘Palaz’ hazelnut cultivars. In hazelnuts, male and female flowering occur in winter after the breaking of inflorescence dormancy. In the present study, growth of the ovary of the hazelnut started in April and continued until mid-June. At the time of flowering the ovary did not form. The ovule growth showed a rapid increase at the end of June. Change in the diameter of the ovary and ovule with time showed a simple sigmoid growth curve. Fertilization occurred during the period between mid-May and the beginning of June, namely, 3.5–5 months after pollination. At this time, the diameter of the nut was 9.54 mm. Twin kernel was not observed. The ratio of double kernels was close to zero. The time period from fertilization to harvest was 89 days in 1997 and 96 days in 1998 for Tombul cultivar. For the Palaz, this period was 84 days in 1997 and 86 days in 1998. The rate of pistillate flower clusters which dropped in April–May was more than those dropped in June–August.     

Effects of diazinon at different doses on rat liver and pancreas tissues

Diazinon is one of the most widely used organophosphates in agriculture. Toxic effects of diazinon are due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme needed for proper nervous system function. This study was designed to investigate the effects of diazinon at different doses on pancreas and liver tissues and in which dose level diazinon shows its effects. Sixty male Wistar albino rats were included in this study. Animals were initially divided into control and diazinon given groups. There were 10 animals in the control group and 50 animals in diazinon administered group. The latter was divided into five equal subgroups: 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of diazinon administered groups. Control group was given only saline. All animals in 300 mg/kg diazinon group died. After 24 h, rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia. Tissue and blood samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Sample tissues were examined under light microscope. In biochemical analysis, AST, ALT, LDH, amylase and lipase enzyme activities were measured. One-way ANOVA test was used to compare the groups. In 200 mg/kg diazinon given group, it has been observed some histopathological changes in pancreas and liver tissues. Cholinesterase activities were significantly decreased and alkaline phosphatase levels were increased in all diazinon given groups, when compared with the controls. There was statistically significant difference between the control and diazinon given groups by means of serum amylase, lipase, ALT and AST activities (p < 0.05). LDH activities were significantly increased in 100 and 200 mg diazinon given groups, when compared with the controls (p < 0.05). Histopathological changes were observed only in 200 mg diazinon given group. This evidence suggest that diazinon effect is dose dependent and this is possibly 10-15% of the LD₅₀ dose (200 mg/kg), which cause acute pancreatitis and histopathological changes in liver.     

Impact of Bt-cotton on soil microbiological and biochemical attributes

Transgenic Bt-cotton produces Bt-toxins (Cry proteins) which may accumulate and persist in soil due to their binding ability on soil components. In the present study, the potential impacts of Bt- and non-Bt genotypes of cotton on soil microbial activity, substrate use efficiency, viable microbial population counts, and nutrient dynamics were studied. Two transgenic Bt-cotton genotypes (CIM-602 CIM-599) expressing cry1 Ac gene and two non-Bt cotton genotypes (CIM-573 and CIM-591) were used to evaluate their impact on biological and chemical properties of soil across the four locations in Punjab. Field trials were conducted at four locations (Central Cotton Research Institute-Multan, Naseer Pur, Kot Lal Shah, and Cotton Research Station-Bahawalpur) of different agro-ecological zones of Punjab. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected by following standard procedure from these selected locations. Results reveled that Bt-cotton had no adverse effect on microbial population (viable counts) and enzymatic activity of rhizosphere soil. Bacterial population was more in Bt-cotton rhizosphere than that of non-Bt cotton rhizosphere at all locations. Phosphatase, dehydrogenase, and oxidative metabolism of rhizosphere soil were more in Bt-cotton genotypes compared with non-Bt cotton genotypes. Cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, extractable phosphorous, extractable potassium, active carbon, Fe and Zn contents were higher in rhizosphere of Bt-cotton genotypes compared with non-Bt cotton genotypes. It can be concluded from present study that the cultivation of Bt-cotton expressing cry1 Ac had apparently no negative effect on metabolic, microbiological activities, and nutrient dynamics of soils. Further work is needed to investigate the potential impacts of Bt-cotton on ecology of soil-dwelling insects and invertebrates before its recommendation for extensive cultivation.     

Revealing Genetic Relationship and Prospecting of Novel Donors Among Upland Rice Genotypes Using qDTY-Linked SSR Markers

A total of 17 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to QTLs (qDTYs) governing grain yield under reproductive stage (RS) drought stress were used to assess the genetic relationship and prospecting new donors for qDTYs among 32 popular upland rice genotypes. These SSR markers generated a total of 36 alleles with an average allele count of 2.1 per locus. Polymorphic information content value of the markers ranged from 0.376 to 0.662 with an average value of 0.484. The expected heterozyogosity ranged from 0.381 to 0.632. STRUCTURE analysis divided the 32 genotypes into three sub-populations. Subsequent phenotyping revealed that all the tolerant genotypes were grouped into one sub-population, whereas the moderately tolerant and susceptible genotypes were grouped into separate sub-populations. Phylogenetic tree constructed by the unweighted neighbour-joining method also divided the genotypes into three clusters. The grouping pattern of genotypes into the clusters was similar to that into the STRUCTURE analysis, on the basis of drought tolerance level. The average value of genetic dissimilarity coefficient among the genotypes was observed to be 0.486. Furthermore, by combining genotyping data with phenotyping data, 16 new donors for 6 qDTYs were identified.