Improvement in the fracture toughness (Mode I) of laminated glass fabric composites through air-jet texturing

Delamination is the most common failure mode in laminated composites due to the reduced strength in the through-the-thickness direction. Air-jet texturing was used to provide more surface contact between the fibres and the resin by producing bulk and loops in the yarn. The development and characterization of core-and-effect textured glass yarns and the effect of texturing on the mechanical properties of laminated composites were presented in the previous papers. This paper describes the effect of texturing on the inter-laminar fracture toughness (Mode I) of glass laminated composites. The composites of twill weave fabrics were developed from both the textured and non-textured yarn and fracture toughness is tested in warp and weft directions. Significant improvement was observed in the Mode I fracture toughness of the composites after texturing. The bulkier, loopy structure of the textured yarn provided more surface contact between the fibre and the resin and significantly improved the bonding strength.     

Antifungal and antitermitic activities of wood vinegar from Vitex pubescens Vahl

Antifungal and antitermitic activities of wood vinegar produced from Vitex pubescens were evaluated. Three kinds of wood vinegar were produced at three different pyrolysis temperatures, i.e. at 350, 400 and 450 °C. A PDA dilution method was employed to assay antifungal activity of the vinegars with a white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor and a brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris. Termiticidal activity and repellent effect were evaluated by a no-choice test and a choice test with Reticulitermes speratus and Coptotermes formosanus. All wood vinegars exhibited antifungal activity against both fungi. Wood vinegar of 450 °C had the higher activity than those of 400 and 350 °C. It was assumed that acid component contributed to the increase in controlling the growth of fungal. The wood vinegar exhibited antitermite activity to both R. speratus and C. formosanus workers in the no-choice experiment. However, it needed relatively high concentration to obtain the perfect mortality. For instance, the wood vinegar of 10 % concentration was needed to achieve 100 % mortality against C. formosanus, whereas for R. speratus only 3 % of wood vinegar was required. In the direct-choice experiment, wood vinegar had a significantly repellent effect to both termites at the lowest treating concentration of 10 %.     

Identification of factor XI deficiency in Holstein cattle in Turkey

Background

Factor XI (FXI) is a plasma protein that participates in the formation of blood clots. Factor XI deficiency is autosomal recessive hereditary disorder that may be associated with excess bleeding in Holstein cattle.

Methods

In this study, 225 Holstein cows reared in Turkey were screened in order to identify FXI genotypes. DNA extractions were obtained from the fresh blood of the cows. Amplicons of FXI exon 12 were obtained by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and analyzed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. Additionally, all cows were confirmed by DNA sequencing to determine whether or not there was a mutant allele.

Results

Carriers of the FXI deficiency have two DNA fragments of 320 bp and 244 bp in size. The results of our study demonstrated that only four out of the 225 Holstein cows tested in Turkey carried the FXI deficiency. The frequency of the mutant FXI allele and the prevalence of heterozygous cows were found as 0.9% and 1.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

The DNA-based test determines all genotypes, regardless of phenotype or FXI activity. The mutation responsible for the FXI deficiency had not been detected in Holstein cattle in Turkey before prior to this study. The frequency of the mutant FXI allele needs to be confirmed by carrying out further analyses on cattle in Turkey and the selection programs should be developed to eliminate this genetic disorder.     

龙葵UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS类SnUFO2基因C端序列的保守性对花发育的影响

  目的  UNUSUAL FLORAL ORGANS (UFO)基因属于F-box基因家族,是重要的花器官特征基因。UFO基因N端能与Skp1类基因结合形成Skp1-Cullin1-F-box (SCF)复合体,参与泛素化过程并降解C端结合的靶蛋白。为了探究C端序列对龙葵Solanum nigrum花发育的影响,本研究克隆了一个C末端缺失的SnUFO2*基因并构建其表达载体转入龙葵植株中,观察转基因龙葵植株花器官变化,从而深入探讨UFO基因完整的C末端序列在龙葵花发育中的重要作用。  方法  利用生物信息学分析软件对SnUFO2*和全长的SnUFO2比较分析,采用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)对SnUFO2*基因在野生型龙葵植株根、茎、叶、花苞中进行表达分析;通过超表达载体的构建、转基因植株表型的观察及石蜡切片技术验证SnUFO2基因的功能。  结果  SnUFO2*基因ORF长度为1302 bp,编码433个氨基酸,与龙葵中完整的SnUFO2基因相比,其C末端缺失了23个氨基酸。RT-qPCR结果显示:SnUFO2*基因在野生型植株的花苞中特异性表达。对转基因植株的表型观察发现:35S:: SnUFO2*转基因龙葵植株的花瓣向萼片转化。石蜡切片分析发现:转基因龙葵植株雄蕊缺失,雌蕊处有不确定的分生组织产生。  结论  35S:: SnUFO2*转基因龙葵植株花瓣、雄蕊和心皮发育异常。C端结构缺失可能降低了SnUFO2蛋白特异性识别靶蛋白的能力,说明该基因完整的C末端对龙葵花器官发育至关重要。图5表1参23     

Diprosopus, craniorachischisis, arthrogryposis, and other associated anomalies in a stillborn lamb

Congenital malformations with multiple anomalies have been described infrequently in the veterinary literature. A stillborn male crossbred lamb with diprosopus, craniorachischisis, and arthrogryposis was examined macroscopically and histopathologically in this study. The left head was smaller than the right head. Micrencephaly, agnathia, and a rudimentary tongue, which was adherent to the palate, were present in the left head. Micrencephaly, brachygnathia superior, and cleft palate were present in the right head. Cerebellar agenesis and spinal cord hypoplasia were observed. The cerebrums and the spinal cord were covered with a tapering membranous structure. Neural and dermal tissues were noted to intervene upon microscopic examination of this structure. Disorganization of neurons was observed in both cerebrums, though it was more severe in the left one. This case demonstrates many congenital defects occurring together in a lamb.     

Immunohistochemical and qPCR determination of the expression and serum level of anti‐Müllerian hormone in pre‐pubertal,intact and ovarian remnant syndrome detected bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations, ovarian presence and expression of anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) in pre‐pubertal, bitches with signs of ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and intact bitches. In addition, we aimed to verify the suitability of serum AMH concentrations for diagnostic purposes in sterilized bitches and/or in suspected cases of ORS in the field of veterinary medicine. For this purpose, 36 healthy female dogs divided into six groups: proestrus, oestrus, dioestrus, anoestrus, pre‐pubertal and ORS. Serum AMH concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and ovarian presence and distribution of AMH was confirmed by immunohistochemical and qPCR techniques. According to the results of qPCR, while the expression values of AMH were at the highest concentrations in the proestrus and oestrus, there was a statistically significant decrease in these values at the later stages of the cycle (p < 0.05). According to hormone analysis, the serum AMH values of the ORS group had decreased significantly compared with the proestrus and oestrus (p < 0.05). Although serum AMH levels of ORS group were increased compared with anestrus and pre‐pubertal groups, this increase was statistically non‐significant (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemically, AMH expression was first observed in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles in folliculogenesis. Expression values were the highest in the proestrous and oestrus groups, but values from bitches in later stages of the cycle were statistically significant decrease in comparison with these groups (p < 0.05). As a result, AMH concentration and expression were found to be higher in proestrus and oestrus than in other periods (p < 0.05). In addition, the measurable level of AMH concentration in bitches with ORS is an indication that it can be used in the diagnosis of ORS.     

Determination of Pomological and Morphological Characteristics and Chemical Compositions of Local Apple Varieties Grown in Gumushane,Turkey

The present study was conducted in order to determine the pomological and morphological characteristics and chemical compositions of some local apple varieties grown in Gumushane. As a result of field work in Gumushane province, sixteen different apples, which are Summer Apple, English apple, Green Belly, Black Belly and Yellow Belly Apples, Amasya Marble, Bey Apple, Chest Apple, Mahsusa, Arabian Girl, Willow Apple, Tav?anba??, Yellow H?d?r, Local Marble, Bride Apple, and Fatty Apple were collected in order to analyze. The average results of pomological and morphological properties and chemical compositions were obtained as following: fruit mass; 127.36 g, fruit width; 65.23 mm, fruit length; 57.30 mm, fruit stalk thickness; 2.17 mm, fruit stalk length; 17.63 mm, stalk pit depth; 12.75 mm, flower pit depth; 10.29 mm, fruit firmness; 13.79 kg/cm², seed house width; 15.89 mm, seed house length; 17.39 mm, number of seeds; 4.3, water soluble dry matter content; 14.53?%, ash content; 1.11?%, pH; 3.8, titratable acidity; 0.69 g/L, water content; 83.8?%, reducing sugar; 5.04 g/100 g, sucrose; 2.25 g/100 g, and the amount of total sugars; 7.29 g/100. The fruit peel color was determined by considering the light transmittance (L). The average L values were ranged between 112.06 and 66.32. On the other hand among the mineral elements, potassium and manganese amounts were determined as the highest and the lowest, respectively.     

Two-year surveillance of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) reveals its wide circulation in tilapia farms and hatcheries from multiple districts of Bangladesh

Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) is an emerging pathogen in aquaculture, reportedly affecting farmed tilapia in 16 countries across multiple continents. Following an early warning in 2017 that TiLV might be widespread, we executed a surveillance programme on tilapia grow-out farms and hatcheries from 10 districts of Bangladesh in 2017 and 2019. Among farms experiencing unusual mortality, eight out of 11 farms tested positive for TiLV in 2017, and two out of seven tested positive in 2019. Investigation of asymptomatic broodstock collected from 16 tilapia hatcheries revealed that six hatcheries tested positive for TiLV. Representative samples subjected to histopathology confirmed pathognomonic lesions of syncytial hepatitis. We recovered three complete genomes of TiLV from infected fish, one from 2017 and two from 2019. Phylogenetic analyses based on both the concatenated coding sequences of 10 segments and only segment 1 consistently revealed that Bangladeshi TiLV isolates formed a unique cluster within Thai clade, suggesting a close genetic relation. In summary, this study revealed the circulation of TiLV in 10 farms and six hatcheries located in eight districts of Bangladesh. We recommend continuing TiLV-targeted surveillance efforts to identify contaminated sources to minimize the countrywide spread and severity of TiLV infection.     

Structural Effects of N-Arylcarbamoylpyrazolines on Calcium Uptake in Rat Brain Synaptosomes

N-Arylcarbamoylpyrazolines with various substituents at the para position of the carbamoyl benzene ring inhibited ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-uptake in synaptosomes prepared from the rat brain. The activity of these compounds was evaluated as log(1/I₅₀), the reciprocal logarithm of half inhibitory concentration, I₅₀ (m ), from the concentration–response curve for the inhibition of Ca²⁺-uptake. Among the compounds tested, methyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1-[N-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)carbamoyl]-2-pyrazoline-4-carboxylate was the most potent, the I₅₀ value of which as 9·12×10⁻⁷ m . Variations in the activity in terms of log(1/I₅₀) were quantitatively analysed using a substituent parameter, showing that the higher the electron-withdrawing effect of the substituent, the higher was the activity. The substituent effects were similar to those on insecticidal activity against the Americal cockroach. The higher the inhibitory activity against Ca²⁺ uptake, the higher seemed to be the insecticidal activity. Methyl(4S) - 3 - (4 - chlorophenyl) - 4 - methyl - 1 - [N - (4 - chlorophenyl)carbamoyl] - 2 - pyrazoline -4-carboxylate had higher inhibitory activity against Ca²⁺-uptake and higher in-secticidal activity than the R-isomer, but the difference was greater in theCa²⁺-uptake system.