Large-scale high throughput screening of sugar beet germplasm using a nanobiosensor and its comparison with ELISA method for resistance to Polymyxabetae

Identification of resistance resources of sugar beet germplasm against Polymyxa betae has always been a critical concern among sugar beet breeders. In the present study, two different methods including the DAS-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and a nanobiosensor method based on florescent resonance transfer energy (FRET) were compared in order to achieve resistant germplasm. More specifically, 58 sugar beet germplasm as well as two negative and two positive controls were cultivated in infested soil under greenhouse conditions. The contamination level or in another words sensitivity and specificity observed based on the ELISA readings was inaccurately lower in comparison with the investigated nanobiosensor. Moreover, the nanobiosensor was 70 folds less time consuming compared to the ELISA method, for the immuno-reaction was much faster and no sample treatment steps were required. As a result, the quantum dots-FRET-based nanobiosensor investigated herein could well suit the task of everyday screening of resistance resource and could be efficiently used in breeding programs.     

Improved soil–plant water dynamics and economic water use efficiency in a maize field under locally water stress

Soil–plant water dynamics is a major driving factor on crop yield which could be improved under optimal irrigation strategy. The soil water dynamics under partial root-zone drying (PRD) and its consequent effects on maize economics returns were investigated in a two-year field study in the research field of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. Irrigation treatments included full irrigation (FI) and two PRD treatments including PRD₁ and PRD₂, receiving 100%, 75% and 55% of crop water demand at each irrigation event, respectively. TDRs were used for measuring soil water contents on a daily basis. Economic analysis was done based on net present value (NPV), benefit-to-cost ratio (B/C) and internal rate of return (INRR) indices. Applying PRD₁ treatment increased soil wetting front advance by 110–330% compared those for other treatments which caused 50% increase in root water uptake. Improved soil water dynamics under PRD1 prevented a significant reduction in maize grain yield, leading to 37.7%, 6.14% and 192% increase in NPV, B/C and INRR, respectively, under PRD₁ than those for FI treatment. Thus, PRD₁ was the most economic water-saving irrigation strategy under which 25% of irrigation water would be saved due to a better utilization of soil water supply.     

Cytotoxic Effects of Serum from Equine Grass Sickness Cases on Neuro-2a and PC12 Tet-Off Cell Lines: Implication for Using In Vitro Methods as Antemortem Diagnostic Tools

A wide variety of clinical and paraclinical methods have been used for diagnosis of equine grass sickness (EGS), but none of them could absolutely confirm the diagnosis, and postmortem pathologic examination is still considered the final step in precise diagnosis of EGS. Use of in vitro cell toxicity caused by EGS serum on neuronal cell lines was investigated. Three well-known cytotoxic methods were used to investigate the cytotoxicity of EGS serum on neuro-2a and genetically engineered PC12 Tet-Off P53 cells. The results of alamar blue reduction as an index for mitochondrial activities and intracellular adenosine triphosphate content assays, but not neutral red uptake, indicate that the EGS serum may affect the mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism at up to 60% of the cases. The results of present study might be used for diagnosis of EGS cases. Further studies with high sample size may lead us to uncover the pathogenesis of EGS and to increase the sensitivity and applicability of in vitro techniques as diagnostic tools.     

Serological evaluation of relationship between viral pathogens (BHV-1, BVDV,BRSV, PI-3V,and Adeno3) and dairy calf pneumonia by indirect ELISA

In this study, viral pathogens associated with nine outbreaks of naturally occurring dairy calf pneumonia in Mashhad area of Khorasan Razavi province from September 2008 to May 2009 were assessed. Five diseased calves from each farm were chosen for examination. Acute and convalescent serum samples were taken from calves with signs of respiratory disease. Sera were analyzed for antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI-3V), and bovine adenovirus-3 (BAV-3) by indirect ELISA kits. Among 42 serum samples collected at sample 1, seroprevalence values for viruses BHV-1, BVDV, BRSV, PI-3V, and BAV-3 were 61.9% (26), 57.1% (24), 64.2% (27), 90% (38), and 61.9% (26), respectively. Seroconversion to BVDV, BRSV, PI-3V, and BAV-3 occurred in 11.9% (5), 16.6% (7), 26.1% (11), and 21.4% (9) of animals, and 52.3% (22) had generated antibodies against one or more viral infections at sample 2. In addition, no significant relationship between seroprevalence of BHV-1, BVDV, BRSV, PI-3V, and BAV-3 and dairy herd size was observed (P > 0.05). According to serological findings, BHV-1, BVDV, BRSV, PI-3V, and BAV-3 are common pathogens of the dairy calf pneumonia in dairy herds in Mashhad area of Khorasan Razavi province, Iran.     

A review of the role of lymphoma markers and occupational and environmental exposures

Immune deficiency and altered immunity are among the best characterized and strongest known risk factors of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). For instance, chronic inflammation or certain disturbances in the immune system are associated with an increased lymphoma risk. Occupational and environmental factors (i.e., dioxin) as well as lifestyle factors (i.e., obesity) may contribute to these risk factors. The precise role of these factors in the etiology of NHL, however, is still not entirely clear. Although the existing epidemiologic studies have not revealed consistent patterns of perturbations of the immune system by these factors, the findings might suggest an adverse impact on both the humoral and cell-mediated immune system.     

Selenium in lemon balm plants: Productivity,phytotoxicity and drought alleviation

Since studies on the effects of selenium (Se) supplementation in water-stressed plants have mainly focused on cereal crops, the specific reports regarding Se-mediated adaptation to drought stress in medicinal vegetables are scant. Thus, we investigated the responses of Melissa officinalis to Se supplementation. Selenium contents were increased in leaves and grains by supplemental Se. Selenium foliar application at 1 mg l^?1 could be useful to increase the vegetative and reproductive growth of Se-enriched plants under well-watered conditions but at 20 mg l^?1 led to toxicity and caused damage to shoots. Drought stress significantly inhibited plant growth by chlorophyll degradation and reduced net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate. Although Se at 1 mg l^?1 could increase biomass production under well-watered conditions in addition to the stimulation of antioxidant system under water stress, it could not ameliorate the negative effect of drought on productivity.     

Estimating nutritive values of Jasminum fruticans L. plant species in northern rangelands of Golestan province

Information on different rangeland plants' nutritive values on different plant parts and for various habitats is important in rangelands management. Effects of different plant parts (stems and leaves) of the Jasminum fruticans L. plant species on forage quality indicators were investigated in two regions in 2015. Plant samples were collected from Sharlogh rangelands and cultivated in the Research and Education Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources (RECANR) in Iran with completely randomized design with three replications in each plant sample. The plant leaves and stems samples were oven-dried at 80°C for 24 hr, and then analyzed for crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude ash (CA), metabolizable energy (ME), and mineral elements, including calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Results showed that the forage quality indicators in different regions were statistically significant, except for the CA. Also, nutritive values differed significantly (p < 0.01) between different plant parts, except ME parameter. Results also indicated that J. fruticans due to its high tissue CP content is a valuable source of forage for livestock.     

Surface Modification of Basalt Fibers by Nanostructured Silica Aerogel

Basalt fibers were surface modified by a new method using nanostructured porous silica aerogel via sol-gel process followed by ambient pressure drying method. FTIR, FE-SEM, and nitrogen adsorption analysis were used for characterization of silica aerogel particles which proved their mesoporous structure with pore size of 7 nm, high porosity and low density. FTIR spectra indicated the formation of silica aerogel on the basalt fibers surface. SEM analysis proved the surface modification of basalt fibers and quantitative measurement showed an increase of 2-fold in the surface roughness compared to unmodified surface fibers. A decrease of 42 % in the density of the surface modified basalt fibers was observed. Also, acoustical properties measurement showed that sound absorption coefficient was increased by 25 %. The obtained results show that silica aerogel structure can affect the physical properties of surface modified basalt fibers. Two silica aerogels with different density and porosity were used in this work.     

Self-cleaning Properties of Nylon 6 Fabrics Treated with Corona and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles under Both Ultraviolet and Daylight Irradiations

Nylon 6 fabric with self-cleaning properties was prepared by corona discharge pre-treatment and coating with TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) using pad-dry-cure technique. The self-cleaning property was studied by discoloration of methylene blue (MB), ketchup, tea and coffee stains from the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon-6 fabric. Color difference (ΔΕ*), reflectance (R) and K/S of MB stain were investigated by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry. The MB stain was almost completely removed from the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon surface after 24 h under UV light/daylight irradiation. Both of these phenomena (corona and TiO₂) led to an increase in the discoloration of stains under UV and daylight irradiations. The EDS analysis showed an increase in the concentration of deposited TiO₂ NPs coating after corona treatment. The FE-SEM images revealed that the surface of nylon 6 was coarser after the corona treatment. Also, the FE-SEM micrographs exhibited that a uniform layer of TiO₂ NPs was formed on the corona treated nylon fabric. The corona+TiO₂ treated nylon illustrated antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtillis microorganisms. The EDS and FE-SEM analysis confirmed that after 5 washing cycles, the amount of TiO₂ NPs was higher on the surface of corona+TiO₂ treated nylon than that of the fabric only treated with TiO₂ without corona pretreatment. This result justifies that the corona+TiO₂ treated nylon fabric with appropriate self-cleaning property can be applied cost-effectively in the textile industry.