A case of double infection with Brugia pahangi Buckley and Edeson 1956, and Dirofilaria immitis Leidy 1856, in a Malaysian clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa

A case of double infection with Brugia pahangi and Dirofilaria immitis in a clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, is presented. A brief review of filarial infections in both man and wild animals, and their medical importance is discussed.     

Assessing crop management options with crop simulation models based on generated weather data

The efficient use of crop simulation models is an effective complement to experimental research. Long-term weather data obtained at a specific site are normally required for the application of these crop simulation models to help determine alternate management practices and associated decisions. Stochastic weather generators sometimes are used to complement or substitute historical weather data. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of weather data generated by the weather generators WGEN and SIMMETEO as input for crop simulation models in order to determine the best option(s) among a number of different crop management practices. Five locations across Iran representing different climates were selected. The wheat, maize, and soybean models of the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) were applied in this study, using 30 years of observed weather data and 90 years of weather data generated by WGEN and SIMMETEO. Simulated grain yield using either observed weather data or weather data generated by WGEN and SIMMETEO in response to various ‘experimental’ factors, e.g., cultivar selection, planting date, planting density, irrigation threshold, and change in precipitation under irrigated and rainfed conditions were compared. The statistical evaluation was based on t, F, and Kolomogrov-Smirnov (K-S) tests. The average of the percentage rejected tests was 20% and the parameter estimation method had no impact on the number of rejected tests. Irrespective of some significant differences between simulated yield based on observed weather data and those based on weather data generated by WGEN and SIMMETEO, a similar conclusion could be drawn about the best cultivar, planting date, plant density and irrigation threshold and response to changes in the amount of precipitation. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that for many crop model applications where only relative estimates or determination of the best management option(s) rather than absolute values are required, weather data generated by either WGEN and SIMMETEO are accurate and sufficient.     

Effect of ground cover on splash and sheetwash erosion over a steep forested hillslope: A plot-scale study

The contributions and relationships of erosion by splash and overland flow over a steep slope in a Japanese beech forest in plots with different percentages of ground cover were examined. Three erosion plots (2 m wide × 5 m long) with average understory coverage of 1%, 45%, and 94% were installed. Sediment transported by rain splash and by overland flow was sampled separately. For the plots with sparse, moderate, and high understory coverage, the average proportions of splash soil to total soil erosion during the monitoring period were 16%, 32%, and 18%, respectively. A significant correlation between the amount of splash soil and precipitation was found in the plots with 1% and 45% understory coverage, whereas no statistical relationship was identified for the plot with high understory coverage. At the sparse ground cover plot showing the largest sediment movement, the contribution of splash transport decreased with increasing precipitation. The amount of sheetwash erosion was significantly correlated with the amount of splash soil under the condition of sparse ground cover. This relationship was more pronounced during high precipitation events and the rainy season. Splash contribution to the sediment transport was in the range of 0.8%–76.7%, 2.8%–81% and 2.1%–60.8% for plot with high, moderate and low ground cover, respectively. The sparse ground cover showed the largest variation of splash and sheetwash contribution in soil erosion. This variability was due to variation in ground cover and soil surface wetness condition which led to a variation of detachment and non-linear relationship of sheetwash splash.     

The development of the pupillary light reflex and menace response in neonatal lambs and kids

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the pupillary light reflex and menace response in neonatal lambs and goat kids. Thirty lambs and 33 kids were assessed daily from birth until the pupillary light reflex and menace response had become established. All animals had a controlled pupillary light reflex within 20 h of birth. Lambs and kids had developed menace responses by 8 ± 3 and 14 ± 2 days, respectively. The Mann–Whitney test revealed a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the ages at which lambs and kids developed a menace response. Male kids developed this response significantly (P = 0.006) later than females. There was no sex difference in the menace response in the lambs. Overall, the findings indicated that lambs develop a menace response earlier than kids, and female kids develop this response more rapidly than their male counterparts.     

Identifying superior drought-tolerant olive genotypes and their biochemical and some physiological responses to various irrigation levels

Drought is currently one of the most severe abiotic factors limiting agricultural production. The high rates of population growth and global warming are expected to further exacerbate the threat of drought, especially in areas with a semi-arid climate as in the Middle East region. Selecting genotypes for improved drought tolerance has long been of interest for those involved in horticulture. The present research investigated the reaction of seven 10-year-old olive genotypes to drought stress in Dallaho Olive Research Station, Iran. To determine the reaction of genotypes to drought stress, physiological and biochemical characteristics, fruit and oil yield, and water use efficiency were measured. The results showed that different genotypes react differently to drought stress while drought decreased vegetative and reproductive traits such as shoot length and diameter, relative water content of the leaves, Ca and K percentage, and fruit yield. Finally, Dd₁ and Bn₆ showed the highest oil and fruit yield per hectare and the highest water use efficiency. In addition, Bn₃ had a favorable status in most of the measured parameters. So, they can be suggested as the genotypes that are tolerant of drought stress. The results also showed that olive yield and irrigation management can be improved by applying proper irrigation levels and using tolerant genotypes.     

Effect of salt stress on Growth and Ion accumulation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yield and nutrient contents may be affected under salinity condition. Thus, this experiment was conducted to determine the effect of three salinity levels (60, 120, and 180 mM NaCl) on shoot and root dry weights, and mineral contents of three alfalfa cultivars. With the increasing salinity levels sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg) contents increased; but potassium (K), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) contents and root and leaf weights decreased; however, changes in these traits depended on cultivar and salinity level. However, Rehnani, a tolerant cultivar, had the lowest Na and Mg contents and the highest K, N, P, Ca, Zn, and Cu contents and dry weights under all of the salinity levels. Moreover, leaf dry weight and leaf P content had the highest correlation with salt tolerance suggesting that these traits may be used as a marker for selecting salts that are tolerant among genotypes in alfalfa.     

Developing Pedotransfer Functions for Predicting FC and PWP

Using pedotransfer functions (PTF) is a useful way for field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) prediction. The aim of this study was to model PTF to estimate FC and PWP using regression tree (RT) and stepwise multiple linear regressions (SMLR). For this purpose, 165 and 45 soil samples from UNSODA and HYPRES datasets were used for development and validation of new PTFs, respectively. %Clay, geometric mean diameter (dg), and bulk density (BD) were selected as predictor variables due to the highest correlation and lowest multicollinearity. The results showed that clay percentage with W* = 0.89 and dg with W* = ?0.57 were the most effective variables to predict PWP and FC, respectively. The RT method had a better performance (R² = 0.80, ME = ?0.002 cm³cm^?3, RMSE = 0.05 cm³cm^?3 for FC and R² = 0.85, ME = 0.003 cm³cm^?3, RMSE = 0.03 cm³ cm^?3 for PWP) than SMLR in estimation of FC and PWP.     

Obesity and associated lifestyle behaviours in Iran: findings from the First National Non-communicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

OBJECTIVE: To assess the national prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as some associated lifestyle behaviours, for the first time in Iran. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This population-based study was performed in early 2005 as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to non-communicable diseases' risk factor surveillance. Dietary and physical activity habits were assessed by WHO questionnaires. SUBJECTS: The study population comprised 89,532 subjects aged over 15 years living in the 28 provinces of Iran. RESULTS: Overall, 50.4% (n = 45,113) of the participants were male and 64.6% (n = 57 866) were from the urban areas. The national estimates of overweight, obesity and morbid obesity were 28.6%, 10.8% and 3.4%, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) > or = 25 kg m-2 in men, women, urban residents and rural residents were found in 37%, 48%, 46.7% and 35.5%, respectively. Abdominal obesity was present in 43.4% of women, 9.7% of men, 28.5% of the urban residents and 23% of the rural residents. Overweight as well as generalised and abdominal obesity were more prevalent in the 45-64-year age group. Although there was no significant difference in frequency of consumption of the food groups in subjects with different BMI categories, various kinds of physical activities showed a steady decline with increasing BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study provide alarming evidence for health professionals and policy makers about the very high prevalence of generalised and abdominal obesity in Iran. The unhealthy lifestyle habits, notably sedentary lifestyles in our community, are the major contributing factors for this emerging public health problem.     

Comparative study of the effects of gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin and ofloxacin antibiotics on sperm parameters and testis apoptosis in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative effects of aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones on testis apoptosis and sperm parameters in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 40) groups. The experimental groups subdivided into four groups often. Each received 5 mg kg(-1) (IP) gentamicin, 50 mg kg(-1) (IP) neomycin, 40 mg kg(-1) (IP) streptomycin and 72 mg kg(-1) (IP) ofloxacin daily for 14 days, respectively; however, the control group just received vehicle (IP). In the fourteenth day, rats were killed and sperm analyzed for sperm parameters. Testis tissues were also prepared for TUNEL assay for detection of apoptosis. There was a significant decrease in sperm count, viability and motility in all of experimental groups when compared with control group. Although in streptomycin group these parameters were less decreased than in the other experimental groups. The apoptotic cells were significantly increased in all experimental groups when compared with those seen in the controlled group. Gentamicin, neomycin and streptomycin and ofloxacin have negative effects on sperm parameters and testis apoptosis in rats. However, these side effects are less seen in the streptomycin group. Therefore, it is recommended that usage of this drug have fewer side effects on male fertility.     

Effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid on salt-stressed sorghum growth and nutrient contents

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity and foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on sorghum biomass and nutrient contents. Treatments were comprised of salinity levels (0 and 100?mM NaCl) and SA concentrations (0.3, 0.7, 1.1 and 1.5?mM). Salinity increased sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and copper (Cu) but decreased nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) contents and the root and shoot dry matter. Fe and Zn were the most affected nutrients by salinity. However, SA reduced Na and Cl but increased plant dry matter and nutrient content. SA had greater positive effects on root than on shoot dry matter. Maximum increases through SA were achieved in N, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, and shoot weight under salt stress but in Zn and root weight under non-saline condition. In most cases 1.1?mM was the most effective SA concentration in reducing the negative effects of salinity.