Use of IR thermography in screening wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars for salt tolerance

Thermography is proposed to be an alternative non-destructive and rapid technique for the study and diagnosing of salt tolerance in plants. In a pot experiment, 30 cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were evaluated in terms of their leaf temperature and shoot growth and their ion distribution responses to NaCl salinity at two concentration levels: the control with electrical conductivity (EC) of 1 dS m^?1 and salinity treatment with EC of 16 dS m^?1 (150 mM). A completely randomized block design with factorial treatments was employed with three replications. The results indicated that thermography may accurately reflect the physiological status of salt-stressed wheat plants. The salt stress-based increase in leaf temperature of wheat cultivars grown at 150 mM NaCl reached 1.34°C compared to the control. According to the results obtained, it appears that thermography has the capability of discerning differences of salinity tolerance between the cultivars. Three salt-tolerant wheat cultivars, namely Roshan, Kharchia and Sholeh, had higher mean shoot dry matter (0.039 g plant^?1) and higher mean ratio of leaf K⁺/Na⁺ (14.06) and showed lower increase in the mean leaf temperature (0.37°C) by thermography compared to the control. This was while nine salt-sensitive cultivars, namely Kavir, Ghods, Atrak, Parsi, Bahar, Pishtaz, Falat, Gaspard and Tajan, had lower mean plant dry matter production (0.027 g plant^?1), lower mean ratio of K⁺/Na⁺ (9.49) and higher mean increases in leaf temperature (1.24°C).     

Molecular and morphological characterization of Ektaphelenchoides maafiae n. sp. (Nematoda: Ektaphelenchinae) from northern forests of Iran

Ektaphelenchoides maafiae n. sp. was isolated during a survey of nematodes associated with bark samples of an oak tree (Quercus castaneifolia) in Gorgan, Golestan Province, northern Iran. The new species has a body length of 480–546 μm (in females) and 431–480 μm (in males). The cuticle is weakly annulated, with three lateral lines. Lip region offset. The stylet is 13–15 μm long without basal swellings. The excretory pore is located at the level of the metacorpus base to slightly posterior, and hemizonid is at 15–17 μm posterior to the excretory pore. The post‐uterine sac is short, 6–8 μm long. Spicules having rounded condylus, rostrum short, conical with bluntly pointed tip, a cucullus (apophysis) presented on the dorsal distal end. Male tail bearing four (2 + 2) caudal papillae, conical, with sharply pointed terminus. The new species is close to four known species of the genus, including E. hunti, E. ruehmi, E. caspiensis and E. poinari, but differs from them by body size, shape of tail terminus, stylet length, shape and size of spicules, length of post‐vulval uterine sac and number of caudal papillae. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit (SSU) and partial large subunit (LSU) sequences of rDNA confirmed its status as a new species.     

The relationship between KCl infusion and changes of ECG, electrolytes of plasma and K content of donkey's red blood cells

Sudden marked increases in the serum potassium concentration, up to 8 to 9 meq L(-1), are the result of transcellular movement of potassium and are associated with profound electrocardiographic abnormalities and fluid shifts. Electrocardiographic changes associated with hyperkalemia have been described in the cat, the dog, the horse and are well documented in man. Since there is no research about the effects of hyperkalemia on electrocardiogram of donkey, the purpose of this study was to induce the experimentally hyperkalemia in donkey and studying the relationship between KCl infusion and changes of ECG, electrolytes of plasma and K content of donkey's red blood cells. This research was carried out in seven clinically healthy female donkeys, injected with 0.35 molar potassium chloride solutions to jugular vein. Results indicated that potassium content of RBC at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min, blood potassium level at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min, blood calcium at 60, 75, 90 and 105, increased significantly and blood magnesium decreased significantly at 135 min. Electrocardiographic changes were first degree A-V block, wandering pacemaker, inversion of negative to positive T-wave, flattening of the P-wave, ventricular premature beat, sinus arrest, bradycardia and sinus tachycardia.     

Effect of Metasystox-R on marine Nitrosomonas sp. as a nitrification inhibitor

Metasystox-R is a systemic soluble liquid insecticide for the control of aphids on brassica vegetable crops, cotton and lupins and it is possible enter to the marine environment and may be have a hazard effects for the marine organisms and nitrification processes. Effect of Metasystox-R on ammonia oxidizing activity by marine Nitrosomonas sp. was investigated by determining nitrification inhibitor assay in the cell suspension. Results showed that 8 microg mL(-1) of Metasystox-R with PI50 = 4.48 significantly inhibited nitrite production by marine Nitrosomonas sp. These results suggested marine Nitrosomonas sp. may be one of the target bacteria which was inhibitor and decreasing nitrification in the marine environment.     

Association of Pap smear abnormalities with autoimmune disorders

Recently, it is hypothesized that there might be an association between immunological disorders and cervical premalignant and malignant abnormalities. Related studies have been generally focused on some particular autoimmune disease, specially the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed at comparing the rate of Pap smear abnormalities in female patients with autoimmune diseases and normal counterparts. In a case-control setting, 118 female patients with various autoimmune diseases (the case group) and 118 healthy female counterparts (the control group) were recruited in Tabriz Imam Reza Teaching Centre in a 24 months period of time. The two groups were matched for demographics and known risk factors of cervical malignancy. Frequencies of abnormal Pap smear testing were compared between the two groups. The autoimmune disorders were SLE (74 patients), rheumatoid arthritis or RA (32 patients), systcmic sclerosis or SS (7 patients) and ankylosing spondylitis or AS (5 patients) in the case group. Frequency of abnormal Pap smear testing was significantly higher in the case group comparing with that in the controls (7.6% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.03). Frequency of abnormal Pap smear testing was higher in the patients with SLE (8.1%) and RA (9.3%) comparing with that in the controls; However, these differences were marginally nonsignificant (p = 0.06 and p = 0.07, respectively). Frequency of cases with abnormal Pap smear testing was not statistically different between the autoimmune disorders (p = 0.99). Based on these findings and in conclusion, there might be an association between the autoimmune disorders and occurrence of premalignant or malignant lesions in cervix. Further studies with larger samples sizes are recommended.     

Age-Specific Gastric Cancer Risk Indicated by the Combination of Helicobacter pylori Sero-Status and Serum Pepsinogen Levels

Background:

Serologic screening of gastric cancer (GC) by serum pepsinogens (sPG) levels and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) sero-status, though highly informative, has provided heterogeneous results. Here, we have evaluated the modifying effects of demographic factors on the risk impact of Hp sero-status/sPG levels in gastric cancer, with particular emphasis on age.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1341 individuals (GC = 578, healthy = 763), who were stratified into two age groups: 35-59 years (middle-aged, n = 830) and ≥ 60 years (60 years-plus, n = 511). Demographic factors and serological states (Hp sero-staus and sPG levels) were recorded by subject interview and serum ELISAs, respectively. Covariate-specific odds ratios were calculated by multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

Hp infection was consistently associated with increased sPGI and sPGII levels in the 60 year-plus, but not the middle-aged group. The joint examination of the variable states of the three serum biomarkers (Hp serology, sPGI, and sPGI/II ratio), in the 60 year-plus age group, demonstrated a stepwise escalation of risk from the single (sPGI_low; OR = 2.6), to double (sPGI_low/sPGI/II_low; OR = 3.55, and Hp_positive/sPGI_low; OR = 5.0) and ultimately triple (Hp_positive/PGI_low/PGI/II_low; OR = 10.48) positive states, in reference to the triple negatives. However, this pattern was not exhibited in the middle-aged subjects.

Conclusion:

Age was clearly identified as a modifying factor on the risk projection of the combined states of Hp serology and sPG levels in gastric cancer screening, reflected by the augmented (~10.5 fold) risk of GC in the triple positive (Hp_positive/sPGI_low/sPGI/II_low) 60 year-plus subjects, which was not evident in the middle-aged group. Key Words: Biomarkers, Demography, Age Distribution     

Effects of photoperiod on offspring production,development and generation time,survival, adult sex ratio and total life span of freshwater cyclopoid copepod,Mesocyclops sp.: comments on individual variations

The experiments were conducted to examine the effects of five photoperiod regimes (24:00; 16:08; 12:12; 08:16 and 00:24 hours) (Light: Dark) on reproductive traits, development and generation time, survival rate, adult sex ratio and total life span of freshwater cyclopoid copepod, Mesocyclops sp.. Daily offspring production of individual female was monitored from the last moulting until death of all females. Mean daily offspring production affected by photoperiod, with the highest output recorded at 08:16, which was significantly higher than 24:00 and 00:24, but not differ from 12:12 and 16:08. No significant differences were obtained in total egg sacs per female among treatments. Photoperiods other than 12:12 significantly prolonged the inter‐clutch times. A trend of accelerated development and generation time was shown with increasing illumination periods. With the exception of female's life span, the survival rates of offspring and females as well as adult sex ratio were not significantly affected by photoperiod. Based on results of this study, it is recommended that Mesocyclops sp. can tolerate and reproduce in a wide range of photoperiod regimes, however, photoperiod of 08:16 being adopted in controlled culture due to its high reproductive performance, fast development and long longevity.     

Identification and community dynamics of fungi associated with root,crown, and foot rot of field pea in western Canada

Fungal and oomycete communities in symptomatic roots, crowns and lower stem tissues of field pea plants from sites across the Canadian prairies were characterized using plate culture and sequence-based identification. Symptomatic plants were sampled at the mid-flowering stage from a total of 21 fields in 2014 and 2015. Fungi and oomycete species were isolated on agar medium and grouped into operational taxonomic groups (OTU) based on their morphology. From the OTUs, 40 fungal and oomycete species were identified according to translation elongation factor-1 alpha or ITS sequences. Fusarium spp. accounted for more than 60 % of total isolations. The fungal communities were similar in roots and crowns, but differed from communities in lower stems. In 2014, the most prevalent fungi isolated from roots were F. avenaceum, F. solani and F. redolens, but F. solani was dominant in 2015. In crown tissues, F. avenaceum was most prevalent in 2014 but F. solani was more prevalent in 2015. Stem tissues were primarily colonized by Peyronellaea spp. (= Ascochyta / Phoma spp.) and Alternaria spp. in 2014, but there was a drastic decrease in Peyronellaea spp. in 2015. This study indicated that climate, primarily precipitation levels, and local edaphic characteristics may play a profound role in the structure of phytopathogen communities associated with the root and foot rot diseases complex of field pea on the Canadian prairies.     

Morphological and molecular characterisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ditylenchus stenurus</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Anguinidae) from western Iran

A new species in the genus Ditylenchus, D. stenurus n. sp. collected from western Iran, is described and illustrated herein based on morphological and molecular studies. The new species is characterised by a body length of 772 (663–863) μm, delicate stylet 6 (5–7) μm long, six lines in the lateral field. Median bulb of pharynx well-developed, muscular with crescentic valve. Post-vulval uterine sac well-developed, 35 (30–45) μm long, female tail elongate-conoid, becoming narrow suddenly with finely rounded terminus. The new species comes close in morphology and morphometrics to five known species of the genus, namely D. arachis, D. caudatus, D. clarus, D. myceliophagus, and D. nanus. DNA sequencing data was obtained on the partial 18S, D2/D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The phylogenetic relationships of this species with other Ditylenchus spp. using partial 18S–rDNA and D2/D3 indicated that D. stenurus n. sp. clustered together with several species belongs to the D. triformis-group i. e. D. africanus, D. destructor and D. halictus: all sharing a rounded tail terminus and six lines in lateral fields.     

Epidural ketamine in the dromedary camel

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and physiological effects of epidural injection of ketamine in camels.Study designRandomized prospective study.AnimalsTen healthy immature male dromedary camels.MethodsKetamine was administered epidurally at doses of 1 and 2 mg kg^?1 (five animals in each treatment). The drug was injected into the first intercoccygeal epidural space. Anti-nociception, sedation, ataxia, and effect on cardiopulmonary, rectal temperature and some selected haematological parameters were recorded at different intervals before (baseline) and after the drug administration. Data were analyzed by anova or U Mann–Whitney tests, as relevant and significance was taken as p < 0.05.ResultsEpidural ketamine at the 2 mg kg^?1 dose produced complete anti-nociception in the tail, anus and perineum, whilst the 1 mg kg^?1 dose produced complete anti-nociception only in the tail. Epidural ketamine resulted in mild to moderate sedation at the 1 mg kg^?1 dose and deep sedation at the 2 mg kg^?1 dose. Ataxia was observed in all test subjects and was severe, resulting in recumbency, in the 2 mg kg^?1 group. Respiratory rate and rectal temperature did not change significantly after injection of either treatment. Following epidural injection of 2 mg kg^?1 of ketamine, heart rate increased significantly from the pre-injection baseline of 55 ± 2 to 76 ± 4 (mean ± SD) beats minute^?1, but after the lower dose changes were not significant. The only significant changes in measured haematologic parameters were decreases in total erythrocyte count at 45 minutes and total leukocyte count from 45–75 minutes, in the 2 mg kg^?1 group.ConclusionEpidural ketamine injection was associated with caudal anti-nociception, sedation and ataxia in the dromedary camels; the intensity and duration of which was dose dependant.Clinical relevanceNeither of the doses of epidural ketamine injection in our study was applicable for standing surgical procedures in dromedary camels.