Impact of Treated Industrial Effluent on Physical and Chemical Properties of Three Subtropical Soils and Millet Nutrition

The use of treated industrial effluents to irrigate plants is an alternative, because of nutrients that can increase yield of the agricultural crops. This study was conducted to determine irrigation with treated effluent and gypsum application, which changes the chemical and physical characteristics of soils and the growth and nutrition of millet (Pennisetum glaucum). Thus, an experiment was conducted on PVC columns with three soil classes, Typic Hapludox, Typic Hapludult, and Arenic Hapludult. Nutrient and Na⁺ concentrations in the millet biomass reflected concentrations of elements in the effluent and soil. In the control, low N levels were found in the biomass, while higher leaf N concentrations were observed, due to irrigation with treated effluent. In the short term, irrigation with treated industrial effluent by controlled application could be an alternative and a complementary source of nutrients for plants, reducing the volume of nutrients and organic materials discharged into water bodies.     

Effect of carbohydrates on in vitro low-temperature storage of shoot cultures of apricot

Procedures for cold storage of in vitro cultures can delay subculturing, reducing production costs and risks of contamination and somaclonal variation. The present work investigates the effects of media with sorbitol (116.8 mM, medium SO) or sucrose (58.4 mM) alone (medium SU), or the latter in combination with mannitol (58.4 mM, medium M) on 7-month storage at 5 °C of apricot shoots, cv San Castrese and Boreale. Shoots in SO survived in lower percentages and grew less than in the other treatments during storage, and died in large numbers after transfer to standard culture conditions. In comparison to other treatments, survival was 100% in the presence of M and both shoot weight and number of surviving proliferated axillary shoots was increased. Moreover, M improved regrowth compared to SU under standard culture conditions. The SOD and CAT activity confirmed the higher stress of shoots stored in SO than controls, and in contrast, the low stress of shoots in M.     

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour Parasitized by Leishmania infantum

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Plasma concentrations and sedative effects of a dexmedetomidine,midazolam, and butorphanol combination after transnasal administration in healthy rabbits

Plasma concentrations of dexmedetomidine (D = 0.1 mg/kg), midazolam (M = 2 mg/kg), and butorphanol (B = 0.4 mg/kg) were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) after their simultaneous (DMB) transnasal (TN) administration to healthy rabbits. Time‐dependent changes in sedation and antinociception were evaluated by measuring a sedation score based on rabbit's posture, loss of the righting, palpebral and pedal withdrawal reflexes and by instrumental monitoring of rectal temperature, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, pulse‐oximetry, and capnometry. The peak plasma concentration (C_max) of each drug was reached within 5 min (T_max) from DMB‐TN administration along with deep sedation and analgesia. Such effects subsided after 45 min into a moderate sedation and analgesia lasting for additional 15 min. All rabbits awakened spontaneously and uneventfully 90 min after DMB‐TN administration. During the anesthetic procedure, arterial blood pressure markedly decreased and respiratory depression ensued requiring oxygen supplementation. The results of this study show that all three molecules of the DMB combination were absorbed through the TN route, inducing deep sedation and analgesia suitable for minor surgical procedures. Such combination should be used with caution in rabbits bearing cardiovascular or respiratory diseases because of its ability to induce hypotension and respiratory depression.     

The possible role of quinate in the mode of action of glyphosate and acetolactate synthase inhibitors

BACKGROUND: The herbicide glyphosate inhibits the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids by blocking the shikimate pathway. Imazethapyr and chlorsulfuron are two herbicides that act by inhibiting branched‐chain amino acid biosynthesis. These herbicides stimulate secondary metabolism derived from the aromatic amino acids. The aim of this study was to test if they cause any cross‐effect in the amino acid content and if they have similar effects on the shikimate pathway. RESULTS: The herbicides inhibiting two different amino acid biosynthesis pathways showed a common pattern in general content of free amino acids. There was a general increase in total free amino acid content, with a transient decrease in the proportion of amino acids whose pathways were specifically inhibited. Afterwards, an increase in these inhibited amino acids was detected; this was probably related to proteolysis. All herbicides caused quinate accumulation. Exogenous application of quinate arrested growth, decreased net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance and was ultimately lethal, similarly to glyphosate and imazethapyr. CONCLUSIONS: Quinate accumulation was a common effect of the two different classes of herbicide. Moreover, exogenous quinate application had phytotoxic effects, showing that this plant metabolite can trigger the toxic effects of the herbicides. This ability to mimic the herbicide effects suggests a possible link between the mode of action of these herbicides and the potential role of quinate as a natural herbicide. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of menadione sodium bisulfite,an inducer of plant defenses,on the dynamic of banana phytoalexin accumulation during pathogenesis

Using an authentic sample of 2-hydroxy-9-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-phenalen-1-one, a banana phenalenone-type phytoalexin, we studied its dynamic of accumulation during pathogenesis of banana plants (Musa acuminata (AAA), Grand Nain) inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (FOC), Race 4, the causal agent of Panama disease. The results obtained demonstrate that banana plants treated prior inoculation with menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB), an inducer of plant defenses, are capable of changing the dynamic of accumulation (higher amount and speed of biosynthesis) of this banana phytoalexin, biosynthesized by the banana plant during pathogenesis.     

Pelagia noctiluca (Scyphozoa) Crude Venom Injection Elicits Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Rats

Cnidarian toxins represent a rich source of biologically active compounds. Since they may act via oxidative stress events, the aim of the present study was to verify whether crude venom, extracted from the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca, elicits inflammation and oxidative stress processes, known to be mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, in rats. In a first set of experiments, the animals were injected with crude venom (at three different doses 6, 30 and 60 µg/kg, suspended in saline solution, i.v.) to test the mortality and possible blood pressure changes. In a second set of experiments, to confirm that Pelagia noctiluca crude venom enhances ROS formation and may contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammation, crude venom-injected animals (30 µg/kg) were also treated with tempol, a powerful antioxidant (100 mg/kg i.p., 30 and 60 min after crude venom). Administration of tempol after crude venom challenge, caused a significant reduction of each parameter related to inflammation. The potential effect of Pelagia noctiluca crude venom in the systemic inflammation process has been here demonstrated, adding novel information about its biological activity.     

A Magnetic Signature at Io: Initial Report from the Galileo Magnetometer

During the inbound pass of the Galileo spacecraft, the magnetometer acquired 1 minute averaged measurements of the magnetic field along the trajectory as the spacecraft flew by Io. A field decrease, of nearly 40 percent of the background jovian field at closest approach to Io, was recorded. Plasma sources alone appear incapable of generating perturbations as large as those observed and an induced source for the observed moment implies an amount of free iron in the mantle much greater than expected. On the other hand, an intrinsic magnetic field of amplitude consistent with dynamo action at Io would explain the observations. It seems plausible that Io, like Earth and Mercury, is a magnetized solid planet.