Effects of Single and Combined Inoculations with Azospirillum brasilense and Trichoderma harzianum on Seedling Growth or Yield Parameters of Wheat (Triticum vulgaris L., Giza 168) and Corn (Zea mays L., Hybrid 310)

Inoculation of wheat and corn grains with formulations of Azospirillum brasilense significantly increased seedling growth parameters of wheat and corn compared to untreated controls. Inoculation with Azospirillum and supplemental Trichoderma harzianum free or coimmobilized in calcium alginate resulted in significant increase in all plant growth parameters in addition to improving plant nutrient-content [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca)]. Grain treatments with T. harzianum alone or in a combination with A. brasilense were protected from invasion by Fusarium in a pot experiment. Nitrogen (N) fixation was investigated by A. brasilense free or double inoculated with T. harzianum in soil amended with different C-sources; also, phosphate solubilization was tested by these two organisms. Single and double inoculation with A. brasilense and/or T. harzianum improved wheat yield growth parameters in addition to seed protein; therefore, immobilized and coimmobilized formulations could be used as biofertilizer and biopesticide, and might be recommended to avoid the extensive use of the agrochemicals.     

Oleothermal modification of fir wood with a combination of soybean oil and maleic anhydride and its effects on physico-mechanical properties of treated wood

This research work aimed at studying the effects of oleothermal modification of fir wood by using combined soybean oil with maleic anhydride (OHT–MA) to achieve lower treatment temperatures and enhance physico-mechanical properties. Wood blocks were oleothermally treated with soybean oil and OHT–MA at five different treatment temperatures (100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 °C) for three different holding times (30, 60 and 180 min). Afterward, physical and mechanical properties of the treated samples were determined, i.e., density, water absorption and volumetric swelling as the physical properties and bending strength, compression parallel to grain and impact load resistance as the mechanical properties. Results revealed increases in densities and reduction in water absorption as well as volumetric swelling of all treated samples. The mechanical properties were affected by OHT–MA treatment at different temperatures. Bending modulus of elasticity as well as compression parallel to grain was increased due to OHT–MA treatment. In addition, there was less reduction in impact load resistance of the treated samples. It was revealed that the OHT–MA enhanced wood properties at low treatment temperatures as well as shorter holding times.     

Evaluation of chemical restraint,isoflurane anesthesia and methadone or tramadol as preventive analgesia in spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca) subjected to laparoscopy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and cardiopulmonary effects of ketamine–midazolam for chemical restraint, isoflurane anesthesia and tramadol or methadone as preventive analgesia in spotted pacas subjected to laparoscopy.Study designProspective placebo-controlled blinded trial.AnimalsA total of eight captive female Cuniculus paca weighing 9.3 ± 0.9 kg.MethodsAnimals were anesthetized on three occasions with 15 day intervals. Manually restrained animals were administered midazolam (0.5 mg kg^–1) and ketamine (25 mg kg^–1) intramuscularly. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane 30 minutes later. Tramadol (5 mg kg^–1), methadone (0.5 mg kg^–1) or saline (0.05 mL kg^–1) were administered intramuscularly 15 minutes prior to laparoscopy. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal CO₂ partial pressure (Pe′CO₂), end-tidal concentration of isoflurane (Fe′Iso), pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂, bicarbonate (HCO₃^?), anion gap (AG) and base excess (BE) were monitored after chemical restraint, anesthesia induction and at different laparoscopy stages. Postoperative pain was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) for 24 hours. Variables were compared using anova or Friedman test (p < 0.05).ResultsChemical restraint was effective in 92% of animals. Isoflurane anesthesia was effective; however, HR, MAP, pH and AG decreased, whereas Pe′CO₂, PaO₂, PaCO₂, HCO₃^? and BE increased. MAP was stable with tramadol and methadone treatments; HR, Fe′Iso and postoperative VAS decreased. VAS was lower for a longer time with methadone treatment; SpO₂ and AG decreased, whereas Pe′CO₂, PaCO₂ and HCO₃^? increased.Conclusions and clinical relevanceKetamine–midazolam provided satisfactory restraint. Isoflurane anesthesia for laparoscopy was effective but resulted in hypotension and respiratory acidosis. Tramadol and methadone reduced isoflurane requirements, provided postoperative analgesia and caused hypercapnia, with methadone causing severe respiratory depression. Thus, the anesthetic protocol is adequate for laparoscopy in Cuniculus paca; however, methadone should be avoided.     

Genetic structure of Iranian indigenous sheep breeds: insights for conservation

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Genetic structure and genetic diversity levels of indigenous Iranian sheep breeds are not clear, despite the interest this region has in itself as an...     

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of the Fungal Metabolites Isolated from the Marine Endophytes Epicoccum nigrum M13 and Alternaria alternata 13A

Epicotripeptin (1), a new cyclic tripeptide along with four known cyclic dipeptides (2–5) and one acetamide derivative (6) were isolated from seagrass-associated endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum M13 recovered from the Red Sea. Additionally, two new compounds, cyclodidepsipeptide phragamide A (7) and trioxobutanamide derivative phragamide B (8), together with eight known compounds (9–16), were isolated from plant-derived endophyte Alternaria alternata 13A collected from a saline lake of Wadi El Natrun depression in the Sahara Desert. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on the 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, HRESIMS data, and a comparison with the reported literature. The absolute configurations of 1 and 7 were established by advanced Marfey’s and Mosher’s ester analyses. The antimicrobial screening indicated that seven of the tested compounds exhibited considerable (MIC range of 2.5–5 µg/mL) to moderate (10–20 µg/mL) antibacterial effect against the tested Gram-positive strains and moderate to weak (10–30 µg/mL) antibacterial effect against Gram-negative strains. Most of the compounds exhibited weak or no activity against the tested Gram-negative strains. On the other hand, four of the tested compounds showed considerable antibiofilm effects against biofilm forming Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains.     

Testing newly introduced ornamental plants to the arid climate of Kuwait

Thirty five ornamental plants were introduced into the Ahmadi Bioremediated Soil Park to screen and closely monitor the growth performance of these new introductions under the local environmental conditions. Out of these 35 plant species, 15 were planted in both bioremediated and agricultural soils to assess their suitability for growing in bioremediated soils. Data on vegetative growth was recorded to assess the performance of newly-introduced plants, whereas, the heat stress was documented of Bauhinia blakeana, where no visible effects of petroleum pollutants on plant growth were observed. Performance of each plant group is discussed separately in the text. Overall, plant survival was 72.73% for all plant groups. Generally, plants that failed to grow in bioremediated soil also did not survive in the agricultural soil, indicating that they were sensitive to heat stress more than the presence of petroleum contaminants in the soil. New plant species that were able to establish and perform satisfactorily will be used in greenery projects after they are fully naturalized to the prevailing climatic conditions.     

Evaluating the quality and storage stability of fish burgers during frozen storage

ABSTRACT:   In an attempt to initiate seafood biotechnology in the Sultanate of Oman, Middle East, using underutilized fish, fish burgers from two different formulas were developed and the quality and storage stability were evaluated during storage at −20°C for 3 months. Quality and storage stability were evaluated through total aerobic and coliform bacterial count, peroxide value, protein solubility, and color. Total aerobic bacteria were reduced significantly ( P  < 0.05) by 84% and 97% of the initial load in formulas 1 and 2, respectively, whereas coliforms were completely destroyed in both formulas at the end of storage. Peroxide value increased ( P  < 0.05) but did not reach detectable levels of rancidity. Salt-soluble protein content decreased remarkably during the storage period. The L value showed good stability during storage, keeping products bright for 3 months. Fish burgers from both formulas were acceptable for 3 months at −20°C. Storage stability was rationalized by the effectiveness of freezing, and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of food additives.     

Euclinostomum heterostomum and E. ardeolae in tilapia species of Aswan Governorate,Egypt: morphological,molecular, and histopathological characterization

Euclinostomum heterostomum and Euclinostomum ardeolae, both encysted metacercariae (EMC), were found to infect farmed Oreochromis niloticus in the Sahary fish hatchery and wild O. niloticus, Sarotherodon galilaeus, and Tilapia zillii in Lake Nasser, Aswan Governorate, Egypt, at a prevalence of 25.25% and an infection intensity of 1–14 EMC/fish. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were used to identify them morphologically. PCR amplification, sequencing of the 28S large ribosomal RNA region, and phylogenetic analysis were used for molecular characterization. E. heterostomum and E. ardeolae were isolated from farmed O. niloticus kidneys, peritoneum, abdominal cavity, and under the gills attached to the head bone at prevalence of 13.5% and 6%, respectively, and from wild O. niloticus, S. galilaeus, and T. zillii at a prevalence of 15% and 4.5%, 18% and 10%, and 22.5% and 11.5% respectively. The molecular analyses of rRNA-28S marker revealed that the two Euclinostomum species examined are related yet distinct. This is the first molecular and phylogenetic evidence linking E. ardeolae to Euclinostomum. The present study added two new sequences to the GenBank databases for the genus Eulinostomum from Egypt, with accession numbers MW604803 and MW604806. Euclinostomum spp. have been shown to have detrimental and destructive effects on the kidneys of infected fish; these effects may eventually result in the parasites’ cysts replacing the kidney’s tissues. The kidneys of tilapia spp. infected with Euclinostomum spp. displayed degenerative alterations, with dilated renal tubules associated with migratory tunnels composed primarily of leucocytic infiltrations. Euclinostomum spp. exhibited clear hemophagic characteristics.

     

Changes in soil properties and plant biodiversity after 12 years of rehabilitating livestock farms in the Hyrcanian Forests

Livestock presence in forest ecosystems is considered a factor in forest destruction in developing countries; therefore, rehabilitation practices following livestock exclusion could be a good way to restore forests. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the soil properties and plant biodiversity 12 years after applying fencing and planting in the livestock farms in the Hyrcanian Forests of Iran. First, three regions close to each other were selected and then four areas (treatments) were considered in each region: 1. An area under livestock use (L), 2. an enclosed area (E; with fences, established in 2007), 3. a planted area (P; established with Acer velutinum seedlings in 2007), and 4. a control area (C; natural forest); therefore, a total of 12 areas were considered. In each of the 12 areas, three plots (20?×?20 m) were randomly established (a total of 36 plots), and all the vascular plants in the herbaceous layer and woody species seedlings were recorded in order to study the biodiversity of the vegetation cover. One soil sample was taken from each plot to examine the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The results showed that bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and available potassium were not significantly different between the C, E, and P treatments. Rehabilitation practices improved the soil pH (P: 6.36?±?0.06, E: 6.59?±?0.08), EC (P: 0.86?±?0.05, E: 0.82?±?0.04 ds cm^?1), total nitrogen (P: 0.31?±?0.001, E: 0.31?±?0.005), available phosphorus (P: 10.13?±?2.22, E: 19.29?±?2.43 mg kg^?1), and available potassium (P: 1369.60?±?31.06, E: 1898.80?±?448.60 mg kg^?1). The Margalef index was lower in the L area and no significant difference was observed between the E and P areas. Since the multivariate analysis (based on the vegetation and soil data) showed that P and E had more similarity to C, these treatments could accelerate the forest restoration process.