Evaluation of two types of superabsorbent polymer on soil water and some soil microbial properties

Paddy and Water Environment - In this study, two types of superabsorbent polymers, Luquasorb (Luqua) and Stockosorb (Stock), at 180 kg ha−1 were applied by scattering and...     

Growth performance,survival, body composition,hematological parameters,intestinal histomorphology,and digestive enzymes’ activity in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed dietary Immunogen®

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Immunogen® supplementation on juvenile rainbow trout, where 120 fish (81.7 ± 2.23 g) were fed diets supplemented with either 0.0 (control) or 2 g Immunogen® kg^?1 for 7 weeks. The fish fed the Immunogen®-supplemented diet showed an improvement in growth performance, feed utilization, and protein efficiency ratio and a decrease in feed conversion ratio. The fish fed the Immunogen®-supplemented diet showed higher body protein content. There were no significant differences in red blood cell count, eosinophil, or lymphocyte between the treatments. However, white blood cells, neutrophil, and monocyte were higher in the fish fed fish with the Immunogen®-supplemented diet. Supplementation of Immunogen® has increased villi height and tunica muscularis thickness as well as gut protease and lipase activities. The present study revealed that supplementation of Immunogen® can improve intestinal morphology and increase digestive enzyme activity and consequently increase trout growth and feed efficiency.     

Functional analysis of walnut polyphenol oxidase gene (JrPPO1) in transgenic tobacco plants and PPO induction in response to walnut bacterial blight

Walnut (Juglans regia) is economically important for both its wood and nut nutritional value, but it is susceptible to diseases such as walnut bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj). Walnuts contain many phenolic compounds, providing a good model on which to study polyphenol oxidase (PPO). We inoculated the detached walnut fruits of cultivars Ford, Chandler, Franquette, Robert Livermore, and Payne with Xaj and measured the induction of PPO activity in infected sites and adjacent to infected sites. Compared to infected and uninfected sites, PPO activity was induced significantly in areas adjacent to infected sites in all cultivars except Ford. Ford and Franquette, presenting the lowest and highest PPO activity, showed the largest and smallest mean diameter spots in response to Xaj, respectively. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed monophenol oxidase activity of walnut PPO in the assessed tissues. Then, we revealed the antipathogenic potential of walnut PPO through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated walnut JrPPO1 gene transfer into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Two transformed tobacco lines overexpressing the JrPPO1 gene were regenerated successfully and challenged with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci. Transgenic lines showed significantly higher PPO activity and lower disease severity to the pathogen compared to the control. However, a significant difference in disease severity and PPO activity level was observed between the two transgenic lines. Our results demonstrate a potential defence-related role of PPO in transgenic tobacco and its induction in areas adjacent to infection sites in walnut cultivars treated with Xaj.     

Serial Transrectal Ultrasonography for Monitoring the Reproductive Activity of the Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus ussuricus)

This study evaluated the structural changes in the reproductive tract of Asiatic black bears using serial transrectal ultrasonography. In addition, the ultrasonographic observations were compared with the results of vaginal cytology and hormonal analyses. The collection of blood for hormonal analysis, vaginal cytology and transrectal ultrasonography was performed in two bears (Bears 1 and 2) from June 2011 to August 2013 without mating and in a third bear (Bear 3) from April to December 2012, allowing natural mating. Serial ultrasonographic observations showed cyclic changes in ovarian structures (e.g. emergence of small follicles, growth and ovulation of dominant follicles and corpus luteum (CL) formation) during the reproductive cycles of the three bears. The diameter of the uterine horns remained similar throughout the reproductive cycle in Bears 1 and 2, and it remained similar from April until October, but an enlargement containing foetuses was observed in Bear 3 in December. The ultrasonographic observations were consistent with the data obtained through vaginal cytology and progesterone analysis during the reproductive cycle. An average of 4.0 (±0.4) dominant follicles was observed during the oestrous stage (May‐August), during which the superficial cells accounted for >90% of the total vaginal cells. In addition, the detection of an average of 2.6 (±0.2) CL was associated with increased plasma progesterone concentrations (3.0 ± 0.4 ng/ml) between June and December (near hibernation). In conclusion, serial transrectal ultrasonography demonstrated yearly oestrous (ovulation) cycles via follicular dynamics and CL formation on ovaries, accordingly with vaginal cytology and hormonal level in the Asiatic black bear.     

Immunohistochemistry Diagnosis of an Ovarian Dysgerminoma in One Bitch

An ovarian enlargement (diameter, 8 cm) was identified and surgically excised from a 5-year-old female dog. Microscopic examination of the multinodular neoplasm revealed sheets of polygonal neoplastic cells with large nuclei, frequent mitosis, necrosis and haemorrhage. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and alkaline phosphatase but were negative for CD3, CD79a, cytokeratin, alpha-fetoprotein, inhibin-α and S-100. The histopathological diagnosis of the mass was unilateral ovarian dysgerminoma.     

Selective predation and prey class behaviour as possible mechanisms explaining cheetah impacts on kudu demographics

A number of predator–prey studies show that certain prey demographic classes are targeted over others. The possible mechanisms driving these effects can be two-fold. Firstly, a preference for a certain demographic class results in selective predation by a predator. Secondly, different demographic classes exhibit varied behaviour and thus susceptibility to predation risk. To test these mechanisms, a study was conducted on Samara Private Game Reserve to investigate the potential impact cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) predation has had on the kudu (Tragelaphus strepciseros) population. Kudu age and sex data were collected across both predator-present and predator-absent sections using a spotlight-count method. Results suggest that juvenile kudu and subadult male kudu are selectively hunted by cheetah. This was reflected in significantly lower proportions of these two demographic classes within the predator-present section (both 6.0%, respectively) compared with the predator-absent section (16.8% and 17.4%, respectively). These findings indicate that the shift in the demographics of the kudu population within Samara could be explained by a combination of these two mechanisms.     

Consequence of dopamine D2 receptor blockade on the hyperphagic effect induced by cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in layers

1. Endocannabinoids (ECBs) and their receptors play a regulatory function on several physiological processes such as feed-intake behaviour, mainly in the brain. This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of the dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors on CB1/CB2 ECB receptor-induced hyperphagia in 3-h feed-deprived neonatal layer chickens.

2. A total of 8 experiments were designed to explore the interplay of these two modulatory systems on feed intake in neonatal chickens. In Experiment 1, chickens were intracerebroventricular (ICV) injected with control solution, l-DOPA (levo-dihydroxyphenylalanine as precursor of dopamine; 125 nmol), 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol as CB₁ receptor agonist; 2 µg) and co-administration of l-DOPA (125 nmol) plus 2-AG (2 µg). Experiments 2–4 were similar to Experiment 1 except birds were injected with either 6-OHDA (6-hydroxydopamine as dopamine synthesis inhibitor; 150 nmol), SCH23390 (D1 receptor antagonist; 5 nmol) and AMI-193 (D2 receptor antagonist; 5 nmol) instead of l-DOPA, respectively. Additionally, Experiments 5–8 followed the previous ones using the same dose of l-DOPA, 6-OHDA and dopamine antagonists except that birds were injected with CB65 (CB2 receptor agonist; 5 µg) instead of 2-AG. Coadministrations were at the same dose for each experiment. Cumulative feed intakes were measured until 120 min after each injection.

3. ICV administration of 6-OHDA and AMI-193 significantly attenuated 2-AG-induced hyperphagia. Interestingly, the hyperphagic effect of CB65 was significantly attenuated by administration of l-DOPA, whereas the administration of 6-OHDA and AMI-193 together amplified the hyperphagic effect of CB65.

4. It was concluded that cannabinoid-induced feeding behaviour is probably modulated by dopamine receptors in neonatal layer-type chickens. It seems that their interaction may be mediated by the D2-dopamine receptor.     

Alteration of oceanic volcanic glass: textural evidence of microbial activity

The subsurface biosphere may constitute as much as 50 percent of Earth's biomass. Direct and indirect evidence suggests that an extensive biosphere exists in the rocks below the sea floor. This survey of basalts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans supports the hypothesis that bacteria have colonized much of the upper oceanic crust, which has a volume estimated at 10(18) cubic meters. Although this is the largest habitat on Earth, its low abundance of bacteria constitutes much less than 1 percent of Earth's biomass.     

Niobium/Uranium Evidence for Early Formation of the Continental Crust

Niobium/uranium ratios in greenstone-belt basalts and gabbros indicate that parts of the Late Archean mantle beneath Western Australia underwent a level of melt extraction, resulting in formation of the continental crust, comparable to that seen in the present mantle. The implication is either that (i) the amount of continental crust that formed before 2.7 x 10(9) years ago was much greater than generally thought or (ii) crustal growth occurred by severe depletion of small volumes of the mantle rather than by moderate depletion of a large volume of mantle.