Response to selection for improved nitrogen fixation in common bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

Breeding for high symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation (SNF) in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is expected to contribute to reduced application of chemical fertilizers in cropping systems involving common bean. The magnitude of variation and the genetic and phenotypic correlation among seed yield, SNF, estimated as the percentage of nitrogen derived from atmosphere, and related traits were studied in a population of 140 F₄-derived F₅ recombinant inbred lines, developed from a cross between low- and high-SNF bean genotypes ‘Sanilac’ and ‘Mist’, respectively. The experiment was conducted in a total of five location-years in Ontario, Canada, from 2011 to 2013. These location-years were grouped into stress- and optimum moisture test sites, based on the total precipitation during the growing season. In each test site two nitrogen supply management strategies, SNF-dependent and N fertilizer-dependent, were simulated separately in the field by inoculating the seed with a commercial Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli and by application of N fertilizers at 100 kg ha^?1, respectively. The genetic variation was significant for seed yield, SNF and related traits. The heritability of the traits ranged from 14 to 71% and 4 to 25% in optimum moisture and in stress environments, respectively. No significant correlation between SNF and seed yield indicated that selection for high SNF does not necessarily lead to greater seed yield and that selection for both traits should be performed simultaneously.     

Exciplexes and electron transfer reactions

Electronically excited molecules, being better electron donors and acceptors than their ground states, form charge-transfer complexes (exciplexes) which can lead to radical ions. Exciplex emission is widely used to probe polymers and organized media such as membranes and micelles. Exciplexes are also intermediates in photoreactions that lead to unique products. Photochemical electron-transfer processes, which are the basis of silver halide photography and electrophotography, are involved in many reactions of wide scope. Recent studies have led to the discovery of several electron-transfer photooxygenations with a diversity that will probably rival that of singlet oxygen. Both exciplex emission and photochemical electron transfer play important roles in organic photochemistry.     

Protective effects of basil (Ocimum basilicum) ethanolic extract supplementation diets against experimental Aeromonas hydrophila infection in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study evaluated the effects of basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaves extract supplement on growth, blood parameters and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. Basil leaves were mixed thoroughly with feed at 0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg kg^?1 of diet and were fed in triplicate group for 2 months. At the end of this period, growth performance and survival were determined. Then fish were challenged intraperitoneally with A. hydrophila and mortalities were recorded up to 10 days post challenge. Results indicated that WBC, RBC, Ht, Hb, total protein, albumin and globulin were higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed diets containing O. basilicum compared with the control. Highest specific growth rate values were observed in 400 mg kg^?1 group. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fingerlings fed 400 and 800 mg O. basilicum kg^?1 dry diet. After 10 days post challenge, total protein, WBC, RBC and Hb were significantly higher in 400 mg kg^?1 compared with other groups. These results reveal that a dietary O. basilicum leaves extract of 400 mg kg^?1 fed for 60 days leads to increased growth performance and survival rate as well as improved feeding efficiency in common carp fingerlings rendering them more resistant against infection by A. hydrophila.     

Is Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio Considered as a Prognostic Marker with Age and Tumor Location in Colorectal Cancer?

Background:

Bax and Bcl-2 are the major members of Bcl-2 family whose play a key role in tumor progression or inhibition of intrinsic apoptotic pathway triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic members of this family can determine the cellular fate.

Methods:

In this study, the relative level of mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes was determined using RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and RT-qPCR technique from 22 tumoral tissues and adjacent non-tumoral tissues from adenocarcinoma colorectal cancer.

Results:

The potential prognostic and predictive significance of Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were demonstrated in colorectal cancer. The significant correlation between qPCR data and different clinicopathologic parameters of colorectal carcinoma, including age, gender, tumor size, tumor stage, tumor location, and tumor differentiation was also examined. Interestingly, no significant correlation was seen between Bax and Bcl-2 expressions and clinicopathological parameters of colorectal cancer. However, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was statistically correlated with age and tumor location. Patients with age above 50 showed decreased levels of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was significantly lower in tumors resected from colon compared to sigmoid colon, rectosigmoid and rectum tumors.

Conclusion:

This study indicates a significant correlation between age and tumor location with Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio, suggesting predictive value as a potential molecular marker of colorectal cancer.Key Words: Colorectal cancer, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, Bax expression, Bcl-2 expression     

Effect of weaning method on body weight,testicular growth,sexual behavior,age of puberty,and testosterone concentration of Beetal bucks

The current study evaluates the effects of early (8th week) and late (16th week of age) weaning of male goat kids on their body growth, testicular growth, sexual behavior, plasma testosterone concentration, and pubertal age. Early (n = 6) and late (n = 7) weaned Beetal bucks were weekly monitored from 18th to 38th week for their body weight, scrotal circumference, testicular volume, testicular echogenicity (via ultrasonography), sexual activities, and plasma testosterone concentration. In comparison to early-weaned, late-weaned bucks showed a marked increase (p < .05) in body weight (11.4 ± 0.8 vs. 13.7 ± 0.6kg), testicular volume (44.1 ± 7.2 vs. 79.8 ± 18.7cm³), scrotal circumference (10.7 ± 0.6 vs. 12.8 ± 0.7cm), and testicular echogenicity (28.3 ± 2.7 vs. 38.3 ± 2.1) from 18th, 28th, 21st, and 24th week onward, respectively. Sexual activities started earlier in late- than early-weaned bucks (22nd vs. 25th week, respectively). Moreover, the sexual behavior index was better (p < .05) after the 34th week in late than early-weaned bucks. The plasma concentration of testosterone (at 39 weeks of age) was relatively more and the onset of puberty was 2–3 weeks earlier (p < .05) in late than early-weaned bucks. In conclusion, age-based early weaning of male kids impairs their testicular growth, sexual behavior, and age at puberty compared to conventional weaning.     

The impact of redox conditions on the rare earth element signature of redoximorphic features in a soil sequence developed from limestone

Redox processes, which are widespread in soils, need to be quantified for an improved comprehension of the dynamics of Fe- and Mn-oxides and their associated trace elements. The classical methodology used to study these redox processes generally relies on the quantification of all mineral species in the various pedological features that can be related to different redox stages. However, this approach usually encounters the difficulty of precisely quantifying the different forms of poorly crystallised Fe- and Mn-oxides.In this study, we use the signature of rare earth elements (REEs) to visualise and, eventually, quantify the importance of redox processes in soils. Our approach relies on that developed by Laveuf et al. (2008) and the idea that the relative contribution to the mobilisation of REEs that is made by the primary minerals reactive to redox conditions depends on the following factors: (i) their initial proportion in the different pedological features that can be related to various redox processes, (ii) their relative mobilisation during the redox process in question, and (iii) their initial REE signatures.The catena studied is characterised by two stages of redox conditions: the first is related to the formation and subsequent dissolution of Fe–Mn concretions, and the second is related to the bleaching of the soil matrix due to morphological degradation. In this soil, the main minerals reactive to redox conditions are Mn-oxides, ferrihydrite, goethite and (fluor)apatite. The results indicate that the primary redox conditions can be characterised by a positive Ce anomaly on the REE pattern, which has been attributed to a preferential immobilisation of this element, due to its association with Mn-oxides. The results also indicate that the secondary redox conditions can be characterised by depletion in medium REEs (MREEs) in the REE pattern, which has been attributed to a preferential release of these elements during the dissolution of (fluor)apatite and, to a lesser extent, of ferrihydrite.These results emphasise the potential of REE signatures of the visualisation of the various redox processes that have been active in a soil. Additionally, REE signatures are a proxy of the frequency and intensity of the redox conditions.