Acute-phase protein concentration and metabolic status affect the outcome of treatment in cows with clinical and subclinical endometritis

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of acute-phase protein concentration and metabolic status in the establishment and resistance of clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SE) in dairy cows. We also characterised the treatment-related changes in the concentration of acute-phase proteins and metabolic variables in dairy cows affected by CE and SE. Cows of the SE and CE groups presented a significantly higher β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), haptoglobin and total sialic acid (TSA) concentrations compared with a healthy group of animals. A significantly lower serum calcium concentration, and a significantly higher serum aspartate aminotransferase activity in the CE group, were observed when compared with SE and healthy groups. The comparison of parameters before treatment indicated that cows suffering from CE or SE with lower concentrations of hepatic and inflammatory markers showed a better response to further treatment, and endometritis was not detected in the second examination. Moreover, decreased concentrations of BHB, acute-phase proteins and hepatic markers were observed after successful treatment for endometritis in CE and SE cows. The results obtained in this study suggest that improved liver function and a decrease in the acute-phase protein concentration might favour the resolution of endometritis after treatment.     

Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction Based on Modified Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for the Preconcentration of Ultra-Trace Amounts of Copper Ions in the Environmental and Plant Samples and its Determination Using FAAS

In the present work, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) coated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and modified with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as a new nanoparticle were prepared and used as an adsorbent for the extraction and preconcentration of copper ions. After adsorption, copper ions were desorbed with nitric acid (HNO₃), followed by determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The extraction conditions0. were investigated systematically. The linear range 3.0–500.0 ng mL^?1 and the detection limit of 0.6 ng mL^?1 were obtained. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method for seven replicate determinations of 0.1 µg mL^?1 of Cu(II) was 2.2%. The method was applied for the determination of Cu(II) in different water samples with good trueness. The accuracy was also evaluated through analyses of a certified reference material (CRM TMDW-500).     

Preparation of Modified Magnetic Cobalt Nanoparticles as a New Magnetic Sorbent for the Preconcentration and Determination of Trace Amounts of Lead Ions in Environmental Water and Soil (Air-Dust) Samples

In this study, cobalt magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and then modified by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethyl aminophenol ligand (5-Br-PADAP), through a chemical precipitation method. Characterization of the prepared MNP adsorbents was performed by Fourier transform infrared and transmission electron microscopy. Cobalt nanoparticles (NPs) surface modified with SDS and 5-Br-PADAP was evaluated as a nanoparticulate solid-phase extraction (SPE) absorbent for lead ions Pb(II) from water and standard samples, prior to its flame atomic absorption spectrometry determination. Effects of pH, amount of sorbent, desorption solvent, adsorption time, desorption time, and interfering ion concentration on extraction efficiency were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 1.0–500 ng mL^?1of Pb(II) with R² = 0.998. Detection limit was 1.6 ng mL^?1 in the original solution (3S_b/m), and the relative standard deviation for replicate determination of 0.5 μg mL^?1 Pb(II) was ±2.7%.     

Distribution of Cr,Ni and Co in soils and rocks of Neyriz area (Iran): the influence of ophiolitic formations

Neyriz area, on south of Neyriz ophiolite complex, is one of the most important areas in fruit production. However, no study has been yet performed to assess the contamination status of soils in this region. The objective of the present study was to explore soil pollution by Cr, Ni and Co. Three landforms (ophiolite hills, alluvial fan and playa) were selected along a transect. Seven pedons were excavated and soil and rock samples were obtained. The total concentration of Cr, Ni and Co, Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geo-accumulation index (I_geo) were determined. Results showed that soils over ophiolite hills and alluvial fan were extremely polluted by Cr and Ni (I_geo=3–6). The EF Index confirmed that heavy metals originated from ophiolite rocks in the region. Both indices showed a descending trend from ophiolite hills to playa that related to deposit transportation processes during landforms evolution. It was also observed a decreasing vertical trend in metal contents in the soils over alluvial fan which can be attributed to the long-time irrigation and plant uptake as affected by land use. Further investigation is needed to understand the contamination status of ground-water and orchards of the region to achieve sustainable management.     

Effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed extract as a dietary supplementation on growth performance immunological haematological biochemical parameters of common carp

This study aimed to assess the effect of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed (DPS) extract at 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4% as a dietary supplement over 60 days, on the growth and immune‐physiology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings. The weight gain in fish fed with 0.5% DPS was significantly greater than other treatments and fish fed a control diet with no DPS (p < 0.05). With increasing DPS dosage above 0.5%, weight gain and growth rate gradually declined. Feed conversion ratio in fish fed 0.5% DPS was lower than other treatments, but not significantly so, except for the highest DPS concentration (4%). With respect to immunophysiological variables, fish treated with 0.5% DPS leucocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts that were generally equivalent to fish on a control diet, but significantly lower than fish treated with greater concentrations of DPS (p < 0.05). Chemilumincene response and lysozyme activity, as well as levels of total protein and albumin, were higher in all treated groups than the control. The highest levels of iron and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed in fish fed with 0.5% DPS, while the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDH), thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine were lower level in fish fed with 0.5% DPS than in all other treatments. In aquaculture practice, use of 0.5% DPS in commercial carp feed can improve the growth rate and condition of fish.     

Comparison of parametric and non-parametric methods for selecting stable and adapted durum wheat genotypes in variable environments

Twenty parametric and non-parametric measures derived from grain yield of 15 advanced durum genotypes evaluated across 12 variable environments during the 2004–2006 growing seasons were used to assess performance stability and adaptability of the genotypes and to study interrelationship among these measures. The combined ANOVA and the non-parametric tests of Genotype × environment interaction indicated the presence of significant crossover and non-crossover interactions, and of significant differences among genotypes. Principal component analysis based on the rank correlation matrix indicated that most non-parametric measures were significantly inter-correlated with parametric measures and therefore can be used as alternatives. The results also revealed that stability measures can be classified into three groups based on static and dynamic concepts of stability. The group related to the dynamic concept and strongly correlated with mean grain yield of stability included the parameters of TOP (proportion of environments in which a genotype ranked in the top third), superiority index (P _i) and geometric adaptability index. The second group reflecting the concept of static stability included, Wricke’s ecovalence, the variance in regression deviation (S ² _di), AMMI stability value, the Huehn’s parameters [S _i⁽¹⁾, S _i⁽²⁾], Tennarasua’s parameter [NP_i⁽¹⁾], Kang’s parameter (RS) and yield reliability index (I _i) which were not correlated with mean grain yield. The third group influenced simultaneously by grain yield and stability included the measures S _i⁽³⁾, S _i⁽⁶⁾, NP_i⁽²⁾, NP_i⁽³⁾, environmental variance (S ² _xi), coefficient of variability and coefficient of regression (b _i). Based on the concept of dynamic stability, genotypes G6, G4, and G3 were found to be the most adapted to favorable environments, whereas genotypes G8, G9, and G12 were more stable and are related to the concept of static stability.     

Effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer on growth,yield and chemical composition of sweet fennel

Abstract

In this study, the effect of different levels of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers on vegetative fresh bulb yield, quality and biochemical attributes of sweet fennel were investigated in spring 2017 and 2018. Treatments consisted of 0, 50, 100, or 150?kg ha^?1 of N and K in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that, the bulb fresh yield increased with application of N and K in both years, while the higher level of K had significant adverse effect in first year. Results also showed that sweet fennel bulb treated by N and K exhibited higher vitamin C, total phenols and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacity, especially in first year. In both years, alone or combined application of N and K increased total soluble solids (TSS) content as compared to control, and this effect was more pronounced in 2017 season. Macronutrient contents of bulb including magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), K, N, and calcium (Ca) were significantly enhanced by NK fertilizer, however an alone application of K decreased Ca and Mg nutrient contents. Therefore, to improve fresh bulb yield, quality and antioxidant capacity in sweet fennel, 150?kg ha^?1 K and 100?kg ha^?1 N is recommended.