Modification of polyethylene-polypropylene fibers by emulsion and solvent radiation grafting systems for boron removal

Preparation of boron-selective adsorbent was carried out by radiation induced grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto polyethylene-coated polypropylene (PE-PP) nonwoven fabric in emulsion or solvent medium followed by immobilization of N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG). Adsorbent precursors with 180 % degree of grafting (DG) were obtained by applying reaction parameters comprising 20 kGy dose, 5 % monomer concentration and 1 h reaction time in emulsion compared to 30 kGy, 10 % and 3 h in solvent medium. A glucamine density of 2.2 mmol/g could be imparted to the obtained adsorbents. The emulsion-mediated grafting was found more efficient and economical for preparation of boron chelating adsorbents.     

Associating chemical analysis to molecular markers for the valorization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus aurantium</Emphasis> leaves: a useful starting point for marker-assisted selection

Variation in metabolite composition and content is often observed in citrus, however, it is poorly understood to what extent this variation has a genetic basis. C. aurantium genotypes originating from Tunisia were evaluated to detect genomic (SSR markers) and chemotypic polymorphisms and to discover possible associations between them. A total of fifteen highly polymorphic SSR markers were selected to screen the genetic variability of the most widespread sour orange genotypes. Targeted secondary metabolite profiling analysis generated twenty-one compounds differentially accumulated in the leaves of sour orange genotypes. PCA analysis revealed that genomic and chemotypic data generated similar pattern of clustering, highlighting the intra-specific variability in C. aurantium species. Both data were integrated, leading to the identification of associated SSR alleles with secondary metabolites. Based on results, a relatively high correlation (r = 0.381; p < 0.0001) between chemotypic patterns and genetic markers was identified. Associations between traits of interest for phenolic compounds and genetic markers were tested using statistical methods including three linear model approaches. These results consolidate the presence of a chemical fingerprint that may be suitable for assessing identity and quality of a particular genotype which will be very useful for citrus breeding programs.     

Antioxidant effects of seaweeds and their active compounds on animal health and production – a review

Natural antioxidants applied as feed additives can improve not only animals’ health and overall performance but also increase their resistance to environmental stress such as heat stress, bad housing conditions, diseases, etc. Marine organisms, for example seaweeds – red, brown, and green macroalgae contain a plethora of biologically active substances, including phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, pigments, vitamins, micro- and macroelements, and proteins known for their antioxidant activity, which can help in the maintenance of appropriate redox status in animals and show pleiotropic effects for enhancing good health, and productivity. The dysregulated production of free radicals is a marked characteristic of several clinical conditions, and antioxidant machinery plays a pivotal role in scavenging the excessive free radicals, thereby preventing and treating infections in animals. Supplementation of seaweeds to animal diet can boost antioxidant activity, immunity, and the gut environment. Dietary supplementation of seaweeds can also enhance meat quality due to the deposition of marine-derived antioxidant components in muscles. The use of natural antioxidants in the meat industry is a practical approach to minimize or prevent lipid oxidation. However, overconsumption of seaweeds, especially brown macroalgae, should be avoided because of their high iodine content. An important point to consider when including seaweeds in animal feed is their variable composition which depends on the species, habitat, location, harvest time, growing conditions such as nutrient concentration in water, light intensity, temperature, etc. This review highlights the beneficial applications of seaweeds and their extracted compounds, which have antioxidant properties as feed additives and impact animal health and production.     

Assessing the effects of urea and nano-nitrogen chelate fertilizers on sugarcane yield and dynamic of nitrate in soil

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of urea and Nano-Nitrogen Chelate (NNC) fertilizers on yield of sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum) and nitrate leaching from soil. The treatments included urea (U) and NNC at five levels of nitrogen (0, 80, 112, 137 and 161 kg N ha^?1). This experiment was carried out during 2017 and 2018 in Khuzestan province, Iran. The results showed that the average of soil nitrate concentration during the sugarcane growth period in urea and NNC treatments were 10.2 and 12.8 mg kg^?1 respectively. The highest and lowest nitrate leaching (699.0 mg l^?1 and 183.0 mg l^?1) belongs to the highest level of urea fertilizer and the lowest level of NNC. In urea treatments, the lowest amount of nitrate was observed in the topsoil (0-30 cm depth) whereas in NNC fertilizer maximum value was achieved in topsoil. The height of sugarcane stem in both fertilizers increased with increasing rate of fertilizer, but there was no significant difference between two types of fertilizer. Yield of sugarcane (fresh weight of stem) increased significantly by increasing of fertilizer application, but there was no significant difference between two types of fertilizer. In terms of sugar content, there was a significant difference between treatments. The order of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for stems and sugar yield from high to low was as NUE (fresh stem): U₁ > N₁ > N₃ ≥ U₃ ~ U₂ > N₄ ~ U₄ > N₂ and for NUE (sugar): N₁ > U₁ > N₃ ≥ N₂ > U₂ ~ N₄ ≥ U₃ > U₄. This study showed that application of nano nitrogen fertilizer (NNC) had significant effects on reducing nitrate leaching and increasing sugar production in sugarcane. However, when nitrate leaching and its effects on human health and the environment are in view, nano fertilizers are valuable.     

The effect of metal-containing nanoparticles on the health,performance and production of livestock animals and poultry

The application of high doses of mineral feed additives in the form of inorganic salts increases the growth performance of animals, but at the same, due to their low bioavailability, can contaminate the environment. Therefore, there is a need to find a replacement of administering high doses of minerals with an equally effective alternative. The application of lower doses of metal-containing nanoparticles with the same effect on animal production could be a potential solution. In the present review, zinc, silver, copper, gold, selenium, and calcium nanoparticles are discussed as potential feed additives for animals. Production of nanoparticles under laboratory conditions using traditional chemical and physical methods as well as green and sustainable methods – biosynthesis has been described. Special attention has been paid to the biological properties of nanoparticles, as well as their effect on animal health and performance. Nano-minerals supplemented to animal feed (poultry, pigs, ruminants, rabbits) acting as growth-promoting, immune-stimulating and antimicrobial agents have been highlighted. Metal nanoparticles are known to exert a positive effect on animal performance, productivity, carcass traits through blood homeostasis maintenance, intestinal microflora, oxidative damage prevention, enhancement of immune responses, etc. Metal-containing nanoparticles can also be a solution for nutrient deficiencies in animals (higher bioavailability and absorption) and can enrich animal products with microelements like meat, milk, or eggs. Metal-containing nanoparticles are proposed to partially replace inorganic salts as feed additives. However, issues related to their potential toxicity and safety to livestock animals, poultry, humans, and the environment should be carefully investigated.     

Evaluation of the in vitro growth-inhibitory effect of epoxomicin on Babesia parasites

Epoxomicin potently and irreversibly inhibits the catalytic activity of proteasomal subunits. Treatment of proliferating cells with epoxomicin results in cell death through accumulation of ubiquinated proteins. Thus, epoxomicin has been proposed as a potential anti-cancer drug. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of epoxomicin on the in vitro growth of bovine and equine Babesia parasites were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of epoxomicin on the in vivo growth of Babesia microti was also assessed. The in vitro growth of five Babesia species that were tested was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) by nanomolar concentrations of epoxomicin (IC₅₀ values = 21.4 ± 0.2, 4 ± 0.1, 39.5 ± 0.1, 9.7 ± 0.3, and 21.1 ± 0.1 nM for Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia ovata, Babesia caballi, and Babesia equi, respectively). Epoxomicin IC₅₀ values for Babesia parasites were low when compared with diminazene aceturate and tetracycline hydrochloride. Combinations of epoxomicin with diminazene aceturate synergistically potentiated its inhibitory effects in vitro on B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. caballi. In B. microti-infected mice, epoxomicin caused significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of the growth of B. microti at the non-toxic doses of 0.05 and 0.5 mg/kg BW relative to control groups. Therefore, epoxomicin might be used for treatment of babesiosis.     

Glycated Hemoglobin is an Indicator of Blood Glucose Status in Horses: Preliminary Study

Glycated hemoglobin (HbG) concentration is a retrospective measure of mean blood glucose level and is not affected by recent stresses, food ingestion, or exercise. Although HbG has been determined in various wild and domestic animals such as kestrels, mankhor, mouflon, aoudad, deer, goat, sheep, dog, camel, ostrich, and horse, there is no information about diagnostic values of HbG as an indicator of blood glucose status in horses. The purposes of this study were to determine normal value of HbG in Iranian crossbred horses and to investigate its relation to fasting plasma glucose. Blood samples were collected from jugular veins of 193 clinically healthy adult crossbred horses (102 males and 91 females). After separation and washing of red blood cells, hemolysate was prepared and subjected to weak cation exchange chromatography for determination of HbG. Glucose was measured in fasting plasma samples. HbG percent (HbG%) in the studied horses was 3.21 ± 0.56 in males and 3.34 ± 0.72 in females. Fasting plasma glucoses were 81.3 ± 7.6 and 84.2 ± 14.5 mg/dL in males and females, respectively. HbG% and plasma glucose were highly correlated (r = 0.81, P < .01). We concluded that HbG% can be considered as a good indicator of blood glucose status in the horse. Two horses with abnormally higher HbG% were found in this study showing persistent high fasting plasma glucose. We concluded that HbG determination could be a more reliable indicator of basal blood glucose concentrations in horses.     

Impact of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphism on the Risk of Gastric Cancer and Its Interaction with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background

Attempts for early detection of gastric cancer have recently focused on host''s genetic susceptibility factors and gene-environment interactions. We have, herein, studied the association of MTHFR C677T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and its interaction with Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, age and gender on the risk of gastric cancer among an Iranian population.

Methods

Gastric cancer patients (n = 450) and cancer-free controls (n = 780) were studied for serum H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA and MTHFR C677T polymorphism (SNP) by PCR-RFLP. Demographic and life style data were collected through patient interviews. Unconditional logistic regression model estimated odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The interactions of MTHFR genotype with H. pylori infection (P = 0.03), age (P = 0.049) and gender (P = 0.007) were statistically significant. Accordingly, MTHFR C677T carriers who were also positive for H. pylori infection exhibited 80% (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-2.9) significant excess risk of non-cardia gastric cancer. Furthermore, subjects over the age of 50 or female subjects carrying MTHFR C677T SNP showed 40 (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.0) and 100 (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.2) percent increased risk of gastric cancer, respectively.

Conclusion

MTHFR C677T SNP seems to increase the risk of gastric cancer and the effect is significantly inflated by interactions with H. pylori infection, age and gender. Key Words: Helicobacter pylori, Smoking, Gender identity, Age group, Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase     

Attenuation of Schistosoma mansoni cercarial infectivity to albino mice by methanol extract of some plant species

This study elucidates the activity of certain plants’ methanol extract: Anagallis arvensis, Solanum nigrum (green fruits), Chenopodium ambrosioides, Calendula officinalis and Sesbania sesban, on the infectivity of S. mansoni cercariae to albino mice. Then, some parasitological parameters, e.g. the worm load/mouse, number of ova/g tissue in liver and intestine and the developmental stages of ova in the small intestinal wall (Oogram) of infected mice were determined. In addition, certain biochemical parameters of serum from infected mice (total protein, albumin, the activities of AlT, AsT, AcP and AkP enzymes) were, also, recorded.The results showed that exposure of S. mansoni cercariae for 30 min to the tested plants’ methanol extract before mice infection has a higher suppressive effect on their infectivity to albino mice then those exposed to this extract during mice infection. The number of worms recovered/infected mouse and the number of ova/g tissue from liver and intestine of mice groups infected with cercariae exposed to the tested plants’ methanol extract either pre- or during mice infection were less than those of infected control groups (e.g. the reduction rates of worm load/mouse and number of ova/g tissue in the intestine were 46.1% and 76.8%, respectively, for mice infected with cercariae exposed to 5 ppm of A. arvensis during mice infection).The results, also, indicated that exposing S. mansoni cercariae to methanol extract of the experimental plants either pre- or during mice infection reduced the activities of the enzymes AlT, AsT, AcP and AkP that were elevated in mice infected with untreated cercariae, meanwhile, the concentrations of total protein and albumin were increased in the serum of mice infected with these treated cercariae in comparison with those of mice group infected with untreated cercariae.     

Impact of aggregate coating with a PEC elastomer on properties of lightweight flax shive concrete

Lightweight concrete becomes an important subject of research because of its insulating properties. The main objective of this research is to present a process improving the flax shive behaviour in a cement matrix. Flax shives stem from flax culture. It is the major product (50% of biomass weight). To be used as aggregates, shives should have a hydrophobization treatment. The aim of this work is the treatment of shives with a biodegradable elastomer: poly(PEG-co-CA). This elastomer is synthesized by the polycondensation of polyethylenglycol (PEG) and citric acid (CA). After their treatment with PEC elastomer, flax shives show a decrease in water absorption. Then, they are incorporated in a cement matrix. Mechanical properties, thermal properties and behaviour towards water (dimensional variations) of concrete are determined. The shive treatment shows an improvement in compressive and flexural strengths but an increase in thermal conductivity. The extreme dimensional variations (EDVs) and drying shrinkage (DS) decrease also with concrete prepared with treated shives compared to the standard. Overall the lightweight concrete obtained exhibits performances close to those of wood concrete.