Mucus and hormonal traits in three gestation patterns (pre-, full- and post-term) of Egyptian Nubian (Zaraibi) crossbred doe goats

In the present study, 48 crossbred does (Nubian × Baladi) were used to investigate physiological (mucus and hormonal) traits as affected by gestation pattern (pre‐, full‐ and post‐term parturitions). The incidence of full‐term (does with a gestation length of 146–152 days) was the highest (54.5%), followed by pre‐term (does with a gestation length of 140–145 days; 36.9%) and post‐term (does with a gestation length of 153 days; 8.9%), respectively. Prediction of gestation pattern by using some body measurements was also studied. Cervical mucus samples were collected during estrus to determine spinnbarkeit (i.e. strength, viscosity or stretchability) and pH values of the mucus. Mucus was also collected pre‐parturition daily from day 140 of gestation until delivery, to evaluate the ferning arborization. Blood samples were collected on the day before mating (0 time), 1 (at mating), 30, 60, 90 and 145 days after mating. The results showed that spinnbarkeit and pH in cervical mucus at estrus, serum estradiol‐17α (E2) at day 5 before delivery, and progesterone (P4) levels differed insignificantly according to gestation pattern. The fern degree between day 140 of gestation and day of delivery was the highest in pre‐term does, while it was the lowest in post‐ and full‐term does. The gestation length was the highest in post‐term does (157.5 days), and the lowest in pre‐term does (141.5 days). During winter, the incidence of pre‐term deliveries was the highest (54.5%), but in spring, full‐term deliveries were the most common (58.3%). Most of the traits studied were insignificantly affected by season of birth. Post‐term delivery can be estimated by doe weight and wither height, while full‐term delivery can be anticipated using by hip height and abdomen girth. Pre‐term does can be detected by cervical mucus fern between day 140 of gestation and day of delivery. Post‐term does can be defined by doe weight and wither height, while full‐term deliveries can be defined by hip height and abdomen girth, during pregnancy.     

Insomnia in chronic renal patients on dialysis in Saudi Arabia

Background  

Studies have shown that insomnia is a common sleep disorder among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of insomnia in Saudi patients with ESRD who are on maintenance dialysis.     

Biological, biochemical, and molecular parameters of Helisoma duryi snails exposed to the pesticides Malathion and Deltamethrin

Aquatic environments get contaminated with pesticides residues that result from the application of pesticides in agricultural practices. The present study aimed to evaluate the pesticides Malathion and Deltamethrin on biological and biochemical parameters of Helisoma duryi snails. The results showed that LC₁₀ of the two pesticides caused considerable reduction in survival rates and egg production of treated snails. Glucose concentration in hemolymph of the exposed snails showed a significant increase. On the other hand, albumin in hemolymph and glycogen contents as well as the activities of enzymes in tissues of snails including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), arginase, and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) were significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, the activity of AMP deaminase of the exposed snails was significantly increased in the hemolymph in response to treatment. The electrophoretic pattern of total protein showed differences in number and molecular weights of protein bands. DNA concentration was investigated by measuring the intensity of the genomic bands and its showed its increase in the treated snails. It was concluded that the residues of Malathion and Deltamethrin pesticides in aquatic environments have toxic effects on non-target organism, e.g. H. duryi snails.     

Biodiversity of diazotrophs associated to the plant cover of north sinai deserts: Biodiversität diazotropher assoziiert mit der pflanendecke der wüsten nordsinais

Efforts are made to record biodiversity of microflora and diazotrophs associated with the plant cover of the major agricultural development areas in north Sinai, around the El-Salam canal, a newly-constructed canal that brings Nile water westward across the Suez canal. Natural plant communities were collected from three major areas. Ectorhizosphere, endorhizosphere and phyllosphere samples were examined for total microbial population and diazotrophs. The vegetation of South Qantara (area I) is characterized by the dominance of Stipagrostis scoparia followed by Nitraria retusa, Convolvulus lanatus, Cornulaca monacantha and Filago desertorum. Rabaa-Bir El Abd (area II) is dominated by Artemisia monosperma, Panicum turgidum and Zygophyllum album. Euphorbia terracina, Oligomeris linifolia, Astragalus kahiricus, Hyoscyamus muticus and Thymelea hirsuta represent the major plants of El Ser and Al Quarir (area III). Microorganisms colonized root surfaces of all tested plants ranging from >?10⁵ to 10¹⁰ cfu g^???1. Diazotrophs were common residents (10¹⁰ cfu g^???1), invaded the root tissue and established endophytically (10²?–?10⁶ cfu g^???1). Fifty-one N₂-fixing isolates were obtained. Among the 32 bacilli isolates, Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus circulans were more common compared to Bacillus macerans. BNF Gram-negative isolates belonged to Enterobacter agglomerans, Enterobacter gergoviae, Enterobacter amnigenus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas luteola, Pseudomonas cepacia, Agrobacterium radiobacter and Azospirillum spp.     

Soil microbial activity and litter turnover in native grazed and ungrazed rangelands in a semiarid ecosystem

Long-term overgrazing is known to influence soil microbiological properties and C sequestration in soil organic matter. However, much remains to be known concerning overgrazing impacts on soil microbial activity and litter turnover in heavily grazed rangelands of Central Iran. Aboveground litter decomposition of three dominant species (Agropyron intermedium, Hordeum bulbosum, and Juncus sp.) were studied using a litter bag experiment under field conditions in three range sites of Central Iran, a site with continuous grazing, a site ungrazed for 17 years with dominant woody species (80% cover), and a site ungrazed for 17 years with dominant pasture species (70% cover). Soil samples were taken from 0 to 30 cm depth and analyzed for their chemical and microbiological properties. Results demonstrate that soil organic C and total N contents and C/N ratios were similar for both ungrazed and grazed sites, while available P and K concentrations significantly decreased under grazed conditions. It was also evident that range grazing decreases soil respiration and microbial biomass C, suggesting a lower recent annual input of decomposable organic C. Nevertheless, grazing conditions had no significant effect on litter decomposition indicating soil microclimate is not affected by grazing animals in this ecosystem. It is concluded that overgrazing may presumably depress microbial activity through either reduced input of fresh plant residue into the surface soil or lack of living roots and exudates for stimulating microbial activity. This study also suggests that 17 years of livestock exclusion might be insufficient time for expected C accumulation in soil.     

Effect of inoculation with different strains of Azospirillum brasilense on cotton (Gossipium barbadense)

Summary The response of the cotton plant to inoculation with six strains of Azospirillum brasilense was investigated under subtropical conditions in Egypt. Azospirilla populations and activities were increased as a result of root inoculation with liquid inoculum of Azospirillum sp. Highest C₂H₂ — reduction activities on roots were obtained with strains S631 and Sp Br 14 (means of 216.85 and 209.50 nmol C₂H₄g^–1 root h^–1 respectively) while strain M4 gave the lowest activity (mean of 100.8 nmol C₂H₄g^–1 root h^–1). Statistical analysis showed that Azospirillum strains 5631, Sp Br 14, E15 and SC22 significantly increased the plant dry weight and nitrogen uptake while inoculation with strains M4 and SE had no significant effect in that respect.     

Acidolysis of tristearin with selected long-chain fatty acids

Five lipases, namely, Candida antarctica (Novozyme-435), Mucor miehei (Lipozyme-IM), Pseudomonas sp. (PS-30), Aspergillus niger (AP-12), and Candida rugosa (AY-30), were screened for their effect on catalyzing the acidolysis of tristearin with selected long-chain fatty acids. Among the lipases tested C. antarctica lipase catalyzed the highest incorporation of oleic acid (OA, 58.2%), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 55.9%), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 81.6%), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 47.7%) into tristearin. In comparison with other lipases examined, C. rugosa lipase catalyzed the highest incorporation of linoleic acid (LA, 75.8%), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 74.8%), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, 53.5%) into tristearin. Thus, these two lipases might be considered promising biocatalysts for acidolysis of tristearin with selected long-chain fatty acids. EPA was better incorporated into tristearin than DHA using the fifth enzymes. LA incorporation was better than CLA. ALA was more reactive than GLA during acidolysis, except for the reaction catalyzed by Pseudomonas sp., possibly due to structural differences (location and geometry of double bonds) between the two fatty acids. In another set of experiments, a combination of equimolar quantities of unsaturated C18 fatty acids (OA + LA + CLA + GLA + ALA) was used for acidolysis of tristearin to C18 fatty acids at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. All lipases tested catalyzed incorporation of OA and LA into tristearin except for M. miehei, which incorportaed only OA. C. rugosa lipase better catalyzed incorporation of OA and LA into tristearin than other lipases tested, whereas the lowest incorporation was obtained using Pseudomonas sp. As the mole ratio of substrates increased from 1 to 3, incorporation of OA and LA increased except for the reaction catalyzed by A. niger and C. rugosa. All lipases tested failed to allow GLA or CLA to participate in the acidolysis reaction, and ALA was only slightly incoporated into tristearin when M. miehei was used.     

Field application ofSteinernema feltiae in the form of baits against the greesy cutwormAgrotis ipsilon in an Okra field in Egypt

Field tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness of wheat bran baits based onSteinernema feltiae compared to the pathogenBacillus thuringiensis and the organophosphorus compound hostathion againstAgrotis ipsilon infesting Okra,Hibiscus esculentis cultivations. Significant larval reduction was observed in all treated plots after application with a significant increase in the yield compared to the control plots. The yield was significantly affected by varying the number of IJS of the entomogenous nematode in the baits.With one table     

Assessment of suspended solids dynamics and their effect in the irrigation networks in the Northern Jordan Valley

This study aims to assess the suspended solids dynamics of the irrigation water, through total Suspended Solids (TSS) measures and field observations. Assessment is conducted along the distribution system in the Northern Jordan Valley. This study followed the water’s TSS conditions in the study area along its travel in King Abdullah Canal (KAC), in the pumping station (with all of its components) and in the delivery networks from the pumping station up to the farm units. TSS of the water in KAC fluctuates temporally and spatially. Pumping stations components performance with respect to TSS such as the bar rack, the static and the traveling screens, the settling basins and the well were evaluated. The design of settling basins showed acceptable specifications of the existing structure; however, management and operation conditions are the main concerns affecting their performance. This study showed the screens work with low efficiency because of operation faults and lack of maintenance especially for the traveling screen. Distribution network affects adversely the water’s TSS because of lack of flushing which enables sediments removal from the network, and prevents suspension process for the piled up sediments inside the network pipes. This study suggested using special points of low elevations in the network to flush piled up sediment out of the network. Finally, this study showed the flushing procedure the Jordan Valley Authority staff should take for cleaning the distribution network.     

Impact of different water price levels on irrigated agriculture in Northern Jordan Valley

A linear programming model was developed to assess the impact of different water prices on cultivated areas, irrigation water demand, net income and optimal cropping pattern in the Northern Jordan Valley (NJV). The results reveal that the price for irrigation water does not reflect any elasticity in the range of water prices between 0.01 and 0.06 JD/M³ indicating constant real economic water price of 0.06 JD/M³. The change in cultivated areas as well as water demand (reduction) starts at water price 0.07 JD/M³. The expected reductions under optimal cropping patterns are 5%, 24%, and 60% for cultivated area and 4.7%, 18.9%, and 31% for water demand with water prices at 0.07, 0.1, and 0.16 JD/M³, respectively. Significant reductions in net incomes are resulted with increasing water prices over current average water price of 0.025 JD/M³. The expected reductions in net incomes are 33.6%, 53.8%, and 81.4% at water prices 0.07, 0.1, and 0.16 JD/M³, respectively. This result reflects the low land profitability as a result of low land productivity and/or low farm gate sale prices for most crops grown in NJV. The study also shows the inconsistency in quantity of water supplied and water demanded, leading to unbalanced water budget on monthly level and inconsequence, a noticeable waste in the quantity of available water during winter months, although there is a net surplus of water over the year. While the findings of this research reveal that a water price in the range of 0.07?C0.1 JD/M³ does not significantly influence the farmers' socio-economic parameters in the NJV, it may help reach the stated goal of saving water especially when monthly distributions of irrigation water are based on real crops water demands and actual cropping patterns.