Biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defences as indicators of different disinfectants exposure in the heart of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss Walbaum)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of different disinfectants' treatment using in aquaculture on the oxidative stress biomarkers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substrates (TBARS) and carbonyl derivatives of protein oxidative modification, as well as antioxidant defences [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity] and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the heart tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the disinfectants exposure, fish were treated to chloramine‐T (final concentration 10 g m^?3), chloride dioxide (5 g m^?3), formalin (200 mL m^?3) and CIP disinfectant based on peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide (16 mL m^?3) for 20 min and repeated three times every 3 days. Both chlorine dioxide and formalin treatment was indicated by a significant increase in the level of heart TBARS levels and carbonyl derivatives content and decreased SOD activity. Tissue oxidative stress biomarkers were unchanged upon chloramine‐T or CIP disinfectant exposure. Increased oxidative stress could modify antioxidant defences, principally causing increased CAT activity in the heart tissue of formalin‐ or ClO₂^?‐exposed fish. The correlation between oxidative stress biomarkers and GPx activity indicates that enzymes related to glutathione metabolism were responsible to formalin or ClO₂^?‐induced oxidative stress. Hence, TBARS, carbonyl derivatives and antioxidant defences could be used as biomarkers in evaluating the toxicity of formalin and chlorine dioxide using as disinfectants to trout.     

Tissue-specific responses of oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant defenses in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss during a vaccination against furunculosis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vaccination against furunculosis on responses of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss muscle, gills, liver, and brain tissues. The oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and carbonyl derivatives of protein oxidative destruction levels), antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase), and total antioxidant capacity in different tissues of rainbow trout were measured. Our data showed that exposure of trout to vaccine against furunculosis produced changes (either increase or decrease) in oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes responses, and these responses showed marked organ differences, associated with tissue patterns. Our study demonstrated that vaccinated trout showed alteration in antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress responses, with higher severity in the liver, compared with other tissues. Our data also suggest that vaccination against furunculosis induced lipid peroxidation in gill and liver tissues. However, muscle and brain tissue are capable of restoring its pro- and antioxidant balance after vaccination.     

Functional response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> L. to taproot pruning: a 5-year case study

Key message

Quercus robur seedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. Root pruning enhanced stem biomass at the expense of roots in later growth stages. Alteration of biomass allocation due to nursery practices may result in greater susceptibility to injury and death of the seedlings under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Context

Plants adjust their growth and modulate the resource allocation in response to applied treatments and environmental conditions.

Aims

The aim was to examine how taproot pruning in seedlings grown at different densities affected long-term growth of Quercus robur.

Methods

Seedlings, sown as acorns at two planting densities, with or without pruned roots were harvested in the second, fourth, and fifth years of growth. The effect of root pruning on biomass allocation was determined by measuring leaf, stem, and root mass fractions; carbohydrate concentrations in the roots; and C/N ratios. Specific leaf area and root length were also determined to assess morphological adaptations to growth conditions.

Results

Total seedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. After 4 years of growth, root mass fractions were lower and stem mass fractions were greater in seedlings planted at a higher density. Five-year old root-pruned seedlings also had a lower root mass fraction and higher stem mass fractions than unpruned seedlings. Specific root length was not affected by root pruning or planting density.

Conclusion

Decrease of relative root biomass with simultaneous increase of stem biomass may be a long-term consequence of taproot pruning of Q. robur, and the effects may manifest years after the seedling stage.

     

Effects of thermal-time artificial scarification on the germination dynamics of black locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L.) seeds

The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of methods for the artificial scarification of black locust seeds based on the influence of the air and liquid nitrogen temperatures. Three populations were selected for the analyses: a managed tree stand, a selected seed stand and a seed orchard. Samples of 200 seeds (4 × 50) were randomly selected. Before scarification, the seeds were stored at ?70 °C for 24 h. Nine different scarification treatments were evaluated. To calculate the germination capacity and the dynamics of germination, observations were made on days 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 after treatment. For statistical analyses, we used repeated measures analysis of variance. The obtained results indicated that the highest scarification efficiency for black locust seeds occurred in the treatment in liquid nitrogen and in an air temperature range of 85–90 °C. The provenance of seeds had a significant effect on the dynamics of germination. Thermal methods and the use of liquid nitrogen can be alternatives to the labour intensive methods of cutting the seeds or using measures that require specialised equipment.     

A Highly Sensitive Spectrophotometric Method for Gallium Determination with Chrome Azurol S in the Presence of Mixed Cationic-Nonionic Surfactants and its Application in Plant Analysis

A simple and very sensitive spectrophotometric method determining microgram quantities of gallium (Ga) has been developed. The method is based on the complex of Ga(III) with Chrome Azurol S (CAS) in the presence of benzyldodecyldimethylammonium bromide (ST) and polyoxyethylenesorbitan monopalmitate (Tween 40). The complex forms in weakly acid solution (pH 3.8) and shows the absorption maximum at 627 nm. The molar absorptivity (ε) of this system is 1.87 × 10⁵ L mol^?1 cm^?1, and it is clearly higher than ε of other spectrophotometric methods of gallium determination. The detection and quantification limits (LOD, LOQ) are 7.6 × 10^–3 and 0.023 µg mL^?1, respectively. Beer^‘s law is obeyed in the range from 0.02 to 0.60 µg mL^?1 of Ga. The precision and accuracy are good. This first spectrophotometric method of Ga(III) determination in the four-component system has been successfully applied for the analysis of mushrooms and grasses with low content of gallium.     

Effect of Quinoa Seeds (Chenopodium quinoa) in Diet on some Biochemical Parameters and Essential Elements in Blood of High Fructose-Fed Rats

The effect of Chenopodium quinoa seeds on lipid profile, glucose level, protein metabolism and selected essential elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) level was determined in high—fructose fed male Wistar rats. Fructose decreased significantly LDL [42%, p < 0.01] and activity of alkaline phosphatase [20%, p < 0.05], and increased triglycerides level [86%, p < 0.01]. The analysis of blood of rats fed quinoa indicated, that these seeds effectively reduced serum total cholesterol [26%, p < 0.05], LDL [57%, p < 0.008] and triglycerides [11%, p < 0.05] when compared to the control group. Quinoa seeds also significantly reduced the level of glucose [10%, p < 0.01] and plasma total protein level [16%, p < 0.001]. Fructose significantly decreased HDL [15%, p < 0.05] level in control group but when the quinoa seeds were added into the diet the decrease of HDL level was inhibited. Quinoa seeds did not prevent any adverse effect of increasing triglyceride level caused by fructose. It was shown in this study that quinoa seeds can reduce most of the adverse effects exerted by fructose on lipid profile and glucose level.