Estimating daily actual evapotranspiration of a rice–wheat rotation system in typical farmland in the Huai River Basin using a two-step model and two one-step models

The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of three models for estimating daily evapotranspiration(ET) by employing flux observation data from three years(2007, 2008 and 2009) during the growing seasons of winter wheat and rice crops cultivated in a farmland ecosystem(Shouxian County) located in the Huai River Basin(HRB), China. The first model is a two-step model(PM-K_c); the other two are one-step models(e.g., Rana-Katerji(R-K) and advection-aridity(AA)). The results showed that the energy closure degrees of eddy covariance(EC) data during winter wheat and rice-growing seasons were reasonable in the HRB, with values ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 and R2 of approximately 0.80. Daily ET of winter wheat showed a slow decreasing trend followed by a rapid increase, while that of rice presented a decreasing trend after an increase. After calibrating the crop coefficient(K_c), the PM–K_c model performed better than the model using the K_c recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization(FAO). The calibrated key parameters of the R-K model and AA model showed better universality. After calibration, the simulation performance of the PM-K_c model was satisfactory. Both the R-K model and AA model underestimated the daily ET of winter wheat and rice. Compared with that of the R-K model, the simulation result of the AA model was better, especially in the simulation of daily ET of rice. Overall, this research highlighted the consistency of the PM-K_c model to estimate the water demand for rice and wheat crops in the HRB and in similar climatic regions in the world.     

Carbonyl sulfide-mediated prebiotic formation of peptides

Almost all discussions of prebiotic chemistry assume that amino acids, nucleotides, and possibly other monomers were first formed on the Earth or brought to it in comets and meteorites, and then condensed nonenzymatically to form oligomeric products. However, attempts to demonstrate plausibly prebiotic polymerization reactions have met with limited success. We show that carbonyl sulfide (COS), a simple volcanic gas, brings about the formation of peptides from amino acids under mild conditions in aqueous solution. Depending on the reaction conditions and additives used, exposure of alpha-amino acids to COS generates peptides in yields of up to 80% in minutes to hours at room temperature.     

The Effect of Human Platelet-Rich Plasma on Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation

Background: The cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been used in many clinical trials; however, there are still some concerns about the cultural conditions. One concern is related to the use of FBS as a widely used xenogeneic supplement in the culture system. Human platelet-rich plasma (hPRP) is a candidate replacement for FBS. In this study, the effect of hPRP on MSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation has been evaluated. Methods: Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC) were expanded. Cells from the third passage were characterized by flow cytometric analysis and used for in vitro experiments. Resazurin and alizarin red stains were used for cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation assays, respectively. Results: Treatment with hPRP resulted in a statistically significant increase in cell proliferation compare to the negative control group (P<0.001). Cell proliferation in the 15% hPRP group was also significantly higher than that in the 10% hPRP group (P<0.05). Additionally, it caused less osteogenic differentiation of the hADSC compared to the FBS (P<0.001), but in comparison to negative control, it caused acceptable mineralization (P<0.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that hPRP not only improves the proliferation but also it can be a suitable substitution in osteogenic differentiation for clinical purposes. However, the clinical application value of hPRP still needs more investigation. Key Words: Platelet-Rich Plasma, Adipose tissue, Stem Cells, Cell differentiation, Cell proliferation     

Changes in peroxidase and phenols activity in apple fruit inoculated with antagonistic Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates and Botrytis mali

The biocontrol activity of three isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens against gray mold of apple fruit caused by Botrytis mali and their ability to induce biochemical defense response in apple tissue were investigated. Apple fruit (Malus domestica) wounds were inoculated with 20 microL bacterial suspension (10(8) CFU mL(-1)) of Pseudomonas fluorescens followed 24 h later by 20 microL of conidial suspension of B. mali (10(5) conidia mL(-1)). The apples were then incubated at 20 degrees C for 11 days. Lesion diameters were evaluated 6 and 10 days after pathogen inoculation. In addition to controlling gray mold, these three isolates of P. fluorescens caused increase in peroxidase activities that reached maximum levels 2-6 days after pathogen inoculation. Phenolic accumulation was increased in apple fruit treated with antagonists and inoculated with B. mali and exhibited the highest level 6-8 days after treatment. The ability of P. fluorescens to increase activities of peroxidase and levels of phenol compounds maybe one of mechanism responsible its biocontrol activity.     

Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Splicing Variant in CYP27A1 in an Iranian Family with Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

Background:CTX is a rare congenital lipid-storage disorder, leading to a progressive multisystem disease. CTX with autosomal recessive inheritance is caused by a defect in the CYP27A1 gene. Chronic diarrhea, tendon xanthomas, neurologic impairment, and bilateral cataracts are common symptoms of the disease. Methods:Three affected siblings with an initial diagnosis of non-syndromic intellectual disability were recruited for further molecular investigations. To identify the possible genetic cause(s), WES was performed on the proband. Sanger sequencing was applied to confirm the final variant. The clinical and molecular genetic features of the three siblings from the new CTX family and other patients with the same mutations, as previously reported, were analyzed. The CYP27A1 gene was also studied for the number of pathogenic variants and their location. Results:We found a homozygous splicing mutation, {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"NM_000784","term_id":"1519312912"}}NM_000784: exon6: c.1184+1G>A, in CYP27A1 gene, which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Among the detected pathogenic variants, the splice site mutation had the highest prevalence, and the mutations were mostly found in exon 4. Conclusion:This study is the first to report the c.1184+1G>A mutation in Iran. Our findings highlight the other feature of the disease, which is the lack of relationship between phenotype and genotype. Due to nonspecific symptoms and delay in diagnosis, CYP27A1 genetic analysis should be the definitive method for CTX diagnosis. Key Words: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, CYP27A1, Intellectual disability, Iran, Whole exome sequencing     

The effects of intravenous ciprofloxacin on the electrocardiogram of healthy dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the electrocardiographic effects of single intravenous dose of ciprofloxacin in dogs. Ten adult cross-breed dogs of both sexes were selected as the sample population. Baseline electrocardiographic values were recorded just before drug administration. Then the dogs received intravenous infusion of ciprofloxacin (10 mg/kg) over the fifteen minutes. The ECGs recorded at 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after ciprofloxacin administration. The ECG measurements of heart rate, PR interval, QRS interval, ST segment, T-wave amplitude and QT interval were taken from lead II. There was a small but significant increase in the longest QT intervals over baseline at T₆₀ (P = 0.041). The mean PR intervals, QTc intervals, JT intervals, ST segment, T-wave amplitude did not differ significantly before and after ciprofloxacin except for JT intervals at T₆₀ (P = 0.041). At this measurement point_, there was an increased QT interval value of 0.02 second or 9.51 % in comparison to the baseline. In Conclusions, Only minor QT intervals changes were observed after ciprofloxacin injection. Despite the occurrence of ECG changes following intravenous ciprofloxacin administration neither dangerous rhythm disturbances nor serious ECG changes were seen in this study.     

The effect of Teucrium polium (Calpoureh) on liver function, serum lipids and glucose in diabetic male rats

BACKGROUND: Teucrium polium is an analgesic, antidiabetic and antilipeidemic herbal medicament. The aim of this survey was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract T. polium on liver enzymes linked to liver dysfunction, serum lipids and glucose, in diabetic male rats. METHODS: A total of 20 Sprague-Dawly male rats became diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). the animals were divided randomly into two groups. Experimental group was fed Teucrium polium (50 mg/kg) for a month but control group was received the same volume of distilled water. Liver enzymes, biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, alanine transaminase, aspartae transaminase) and glucose were measured by kinetic (Enzymatic) and colorimetric methods. Data obtained were analyzed and mean values were compared by paired student's t-test. The results were expressed as mean +/- SD. Significant differences were set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Our results showed that in test group, serum glucose values decreased significantly (P < 0.05), but cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, alanine transaminase and aspartae transaminase increased significantly after use of T. polium (P < 0.05). This parameters value did not show any changes in control group. CONCLUSION: Although the aqueous extract of Teucrium polium has strong hypoglycemic properties in experimental animals, but because of some hepatotoxic effects, it is not suitable to use it in human as an antidiabetic agent.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium ershadii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a Pathogen on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus officinalis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis>

Two Fusarium strains, isolated from Asparagus in Italy and Musa in Vietnam respectively, proved to be members of an undescribed clade within the Fusarium solani species complex based on phylogenetic species recognition on ITS, partial RPB2 and EF-1α gene fragments. Macro- and micro-morphological investigations followed with physiological studies done on this new species: Fusarium ershadii sp. nov can be distinguished by its conidial morphology. Both isolates of Fusarium ershadii were shown to be pathogenic to the monocot Asparagus officinalis when inoculated on roots and induced hollow root symptoms within two weeks in Asparagus officinalis seedlings. In comparison mild disease symptoms were observed by the same strains on Musa acuminata seedlings.     

Path analysis of genotype × environment interactions in rainfed durum wheat

This study was investigated to analyze genotype × environment (GE) interactions for grain yield and its components and to investigate the mechanism by which the stability of grain yield is achieved in rainfed durum wheat. Twenty-four durum wheat genotypes (breeding lines, old, and new varieties) along with one old bread wheat cultivar were tested in 21 diversified rainfed environments during 2010–2013 cropping seasons. The data were analyzed by path analysis model which is composed of a main effect and four multiplicative effects. The flowering time (X1), maturity time (X2), plant height (X3), and 1000-kernel weight (X4) were assumed to be sequential characters for the development of grain yield productivity (Y) in rainfed durum wheat. A high relationship (p < .01) between observed and expected yields of genotypes in different environments confirmed the validity of the causal scheme adopted in the analysis. Comparison the estimates of components provided information on the degree of response of each genotype to the environmental stresses. The results indicated that higher grain yields are associated with higher kernel weight (v₄), which resulted from early flowering (v₁), and so more emphasis should be given to these traits for the improvement of yield potential in durum wheat under highland rainfed conditions of Iran. Positive correlation of stability variance (σ²) with v₄ component indicated that the kernel weight is the main contributor towards GE interaction for grain yield in rainfed durum wheat.