Light and scanning electron microscopic study on the blood vascular system of the donkey placenta

The donkey placenta is diffuse and epitheliochorial with numerous microplacentomes consisting of a fetal microcotyledonary and a maternal microcaruncular part. The microplacentomal vasculature during the last third of pregnancy has been investigated by light microscopy in comparison to scanning electron microscopy of the materno-fetal contact surface and corrosion casts of blood vessels after plastic instillation from either the microcotyledonary or the microcaruncular side, and, for the first time in a perissodactyle, from both sides. Morphological data were semiquantitatively evaluated. The supplying parts of both, the microcotyledonary and the microcaruncular vascular system are strictly proximo-distally oriented, thus reaching the capillary systems or working parts in the shortest way possible. The straight course of the vasculature, particularly on the fetal side, suggests the occurrence of venulo-arteriolar back diffusion. The fetal capillary system consists of convolutes confronting the maternal septal capillary complexes in a countercurrent way. This materno-fetal blood flow interrelationship is highly efficient in terms of placental exchange, which is further supported (1) by dilations and increasing coiling of the fetal venular capillary limbs in particular and (2) by a decrease in the interhaemal distance from 12.5 to 7.2 microm between the two capillary systems. Besides the countercurrent blood flow interrelationship, some maternal branch arterioles reach the septal capillary system from the maternally oriented pole of the microplacentome or microcaruncle, respectively, resulting in the less efficient crosscurrent blood flow. Hence, in the donkey placenta fetal and maternal blood vessels meet in a mix of countercurrent and crosscurrent flow patterns.     

Partitioning of Biomass, N and S in Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.) by Nitrogen and Sulphur Nutrition

Response of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) to sulphur applied ca. 0, 30, 90 and 150 mg kg^-1 and nitrogen applied ca. 0, 100 and 200 mg kg^-1 soil were studied on a Typic Camborthids in greenhouse. Nitrogen and S application had a significant (P < 0.01) main and interactive effect on seed yield and dry weight of leaves and stem. Cumulative N and S contents of sunflower seeds, stem and leaves were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by N and S application. Sulphur transport and accumulation in sunflower seeds was increased with S application. There were significant (P < 0.01) correlations between seed yield and N and S content of sunflower plants. Critical S concentration (%) in 60 days old plants was 0.36 for 95 % relative yield of the maximum. Application of 90 mg S kg^-1 with 200 mg N kg^-1 resulted in the highest seed yield and maximum total S and N contents in sunflower leaves, stem and seeds. Relative increase in sunflower seeds yield at higher levels of N and S was more than that of dry weight of stem and leaves.     

Surface quality and hardness of eastern redcedar as function of steaming

The objective of this study was to evaluate influence of steam treatment on surface quality and hardness of eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.). Defect-free samples with dimensions of 40 mm by 50 mm in by 20 mm were used for the tests. Specimens were exposed to steam having a temperature of 130 °C for 1-h and 3-h periods of time. Surface roughness of the samples at initial and exposed conditions was determined using stylus type equipment across the grain orientation on tangential surface of each sample. Janka hardness of the control and treated samples was also determined on Comten testing system. Based on the findings in this work, no significance was found between surface roughness values of the specimens steamed for 1 and 3 h. However, both types of steamed specimens had higher average roughness values ranging from 52 and 60 % than those of control samples. It appears that 3-h steaming adversely influenced hardness of the samples reducing its 9 % as compared to those of control samples. Densification effect of steaming on the samples was also evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and it was determined that steaming had some crushing effect on the cell wall.     

An entomopathogenic fungus for control of adult African malaria mosquitoes

Biological control of malaria mosquitoes in Africa has rarely been used in vector control programs. Recent developments in this field show that certain fungi are virulent to adult Anopheles mosquitoes. Practical delivery of an entomopathogenic fungus that infected and killed adult Anopheles gambiae, Africa's main malaria vector, was achieved in rural African village houses. An entomological inoculation rate model suggests that implementation of this vector control method, even at the observed moderate coverage during a field study in Tanzania, would significantly reduce malaria transmission intensity.     

Distribution and Availability of Zinc in Soil Fractions to Wheat on Some Alkaline Calcareous Soils

Experiments under laboratory and greenhouse conditions were conducted to investigate the response of wheat to Zn application in five loess-derived alkaline calcareous soils and to assess the contribution of Zn in various soil fractions on its uptake by plants. Zinc in soil extracted by different reagents was also determined. Total Zn ranged from 58 to 81 mg/kg. On an average 45% of total Zn in all soil fractions was associated with sand, silt and clay. Whereas silt alone held 33% of total Zn among soil fractions in the five soils. Ammonium acetate extractable and acid residual Zn (Sand, silt and clay) explained 98% of variation of Zn in plants, and 70 or 75% of Zn in the AB-DTPA extract and DTPA extract respectively. Application of 10 mg Zn/kg soil significantly (P < 0.01) increased plant shoot dry weight, Zn concentration and total Zn content in plants over control. Concentration of Zn in plants was significantly positively correlated with Zn extracted with DTPA and AB-DTPA in soils.     

Chromium stress alleviation by salicylic acid in Malabar spinach (Basella alba)

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a natural approach to use plants for decontaminating soil. A pot-culture factorial experiment in completely randomized design was conducted to evaluate the effects of four levels [0, 25, 50, and 100?mg/kg] of chromium (Cr) with three levels [0, 0.5, and 1-M solution) of plant defense inducer salicylic acid (SA) on growth, physiological processes, and biochemical responses of Malabar spinach (Basella alba). Results showed that Cr significantly decreased vine length (VL), leaf number (LN), leaf area (LA), fresh- (FBM), and dry-biomass (DBM), root length (RL), and dry-matter ratio (DMR). Cr also significantly decreased SPAD (chlorophyll contents), by 9% to 29% and net photosynthesis (Pn) rates, by 36% to 71%, but increased transpiration (E) rates, by 1.5 to 2.7 times and stomatal conductance (C), by 1.7 to 3.5 times, as compared with the control. Proline contents increased with an associated decrease in oxidative enzyme activities such as peroxidase, (POD) and catalase, (CAT) with increasing Cr levels. Cr significantly reduced the Dry Matter Ratio (DMR) (12% to 42%) and LA (10% to 35%), RL -stress (11% to 27%), and SPAD (10% to 28%) stress tolerance indices. The integrated stress tolerance index (IST_Index) of Malabar spinach was reduced (by 6% to 23%) by Cr stress, as compared to the control. SA application, in contrast, partially alleviated the severity of Cr toxicity effects on VL, LN, LA, FBM, DBM, RL, and DMR and increased the SPAD (by 12%), Photosynthesis Net (Pn) (by 53% to 68%), and stomatal conductance (C) (by 35% to 50%), respectively. Furthermore, SA increased plant stress tolerance indices by increasing antioxidant enzymatic functions. SA application recovered the IST_Index at all Cr levels, and the recovery effect on plants was more pronounced by 0.5-M SA than by other SA treatments. The mechanism of stress tolerance as induced by SA application may help plants to better survive and maintain growth in presence of higher Cr contents in soil. Results suggested that SA, as a plant defense inducer, can be exploited for improving Cr phytoremediation potential of Malabar spinach to decontaminate soil.     

Hormonal and metabolic profiles related to placental retention with emphasis on oxidative stress and serotonin receptors in pluriparous buffaloes

This study was designed to investigate the hormonal and metabolic factors associated with placental retention in buffaloes with respect to the roles of oxidative stress biomarkers and serotonin receptors. Blood samples were collected at weeks 3, 2 and 1 pre-partum and at calving from 37 buffaloes; thirty normally dropped their placentae (Non-RFM group) and 7 dropped their placentae after 12 hr post-calving (RFM group). Serum progesterone (P₄), oestradiol, cortisol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), antioxidant/oxidant biomarkers and mineral concentrations were assessed. Histopathology and histochemistry were implemented to detect collagen in foetal placental tissues. Immunohistochemistry for serotonin receptors in placental tissues was performed. Significant elevations in P₄, cortisol, NEFA, BHBA and oxidative biomarkers concentrations were observed in the RFM group. However, oestradiol, antioxidants and mineral concentrations were significantly lower in RFM buffaloes than Non-RFM group. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative changes and necrosis in retained placental tissue compared with that in normal placental tissues. Serotonin receptors were significantly expressed with collagen condensation in retained placental tissues. Furthermore, inferior reproductive performance was pronounced in the retained group. In conclusion, retained foetal membranes in buffaloes were associated with hormonal imbalance, metabolic perturbation, oxidative stress, serotonin receptor upregulation and markedly reduced fertility indices.     

Landing,consumption, and DNA barcoding of commercial seabream (Perciformes: Sparidae) in Kuwait

1. To our knowledge, this is the first inclusive assessment of the status of Sparidae fisheries in the territorial waters of Kuwait, integrating information on catch trends, consumer preferences, recreational fishing behaviour, and molecular based identification of fish species by DNA barcoding
2. Fisheries landing data were obtained from the official fisheries bulletin released by the Kuwait Central Statistical Bureau. Surveys were conducted to assess consumer preferences on seabream species, landed seabream species, and the behaviour of recreational anglers towards seabream species. DNA barcodes were generated to authenticate commercial seabream using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) gene and then compared with GenBank sequence entries; these sequences were then used to construct a neighbour-joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree.
3. Yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus was the prime and most favoured commercial seabream species (45%), followed by Sparidentex hasta, which was the top-rated secondary, unassessed seabream species. Approximately 54% of households conduct recreational fishing more than twice a month, and most (77%) primarily target S. hasta and Ac. latus. Consumer demand for secondary seabreams, which were not assessed and are listed in the bulletin under the category ‘others’, was evident.
4. The NJ phylogenetic tree revealed that Arabian Gulf seabreams, including those of Kuwait, are genetically different from their counterparts inhabiting neighbouring waters.
5. The data presented here highlight the urgency to modify the existing fisheries list using accurate identification tools, such as DNA barcoding, for the sustainable and conservation-oriented management of local fisheries, which are in decline.