Acute Toxicity and Anesthetic Effects of Clove Oil in Penaeus semisulcatus under Various Water Quality Conditions

Acute toxicity and anesthetic effects of clove oil were studied in P. semisulcatus (1.8–2.1 g body weight). The EC₅₀ 1-h (the concentration effective for 50% of test animals), LC₅₀ 1-h (the concentration lethal to 50% of test animals after 1 h) and LC₅₀ 24-h (the concentration lethal to 50% of test animals after 24 h) were calculated at concentrations of 25, 130 and 30 mg/l, respectively, at 30°C, salinity 40 ppt, pH 8.6 and dissolved oxygen >6 mg/l. Generally, with increasing concentrations of clove oil, the times required for sedation and anesthesia decreased, while the recovery times increased. At concentrations 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/l under temperature of 30°C and salinity of 40 ppt, the times required for sedation were 6 ± 0.2, 2.5 ± 0.3, 2 ± 0.08 and 0.5 ± 0.08 min, while times required for complete recovery were calculated to be 4.5 ± 0.3, 5.5 ± 0.17, 6.5 ± 0.25 and 11 ± 0.38 min, respectively. Also, the times required for deep anesthesia were 20 ± 1, 5 ± 0.5, 3 ± 0.4 and 2.2 ± 0.5 min in the above concentrations, while the times required for complete recovery were 10 ± 1, 11 ± 1.5, 14 ± 2.2 and 16 ± 3 min, respectively. Furthermore, considering the times to sedation, deep anesthesia and recovery at different temperatures of 20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C and salinities of 25, 30, 35, 40 and 48 ppt; the combinations of salinity plus temperature and clove oil concentration plus salinity had the greatest and the least effects.     

Distribution of major clonal lineages EU_13_A2, EU_2_A1, and EU_23_A1 of Phytophthora infestans associated with potato late blight across crop seasons and regions in Algeria

Potato is one of the most important agricultural crops in Algeria and worldwide. Each year, potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is responsible for significant damage that leads to large production losses, and is thus a direct threat to food security in Algeria. In this study, 131 isolates of P. infestans and 92 DNA fingerprints captured on FTA cards were sampled from commercial and seed production fields in three major potato production regions (western, eastern, and central) during the main-season and late-season in Algeria over six cropping seasons (2010–2016). Genotypes of P. infestans and population genetic diversity were analysed using a 17-plex simple-sequence repeat (SSR) marker assay, and the mating type of all isolates was characterized. Both mating types (A1 and A2) were found, and often occurred in the same field. Differences in mating type proportion were observed between regions and between sampling periods. Analysis with SSR markers showed the prevalence of the EU_13_A2 lineage (70%) over EU_2_A1 (16%), EU_23_A1 (10%), and 4% of unknown multilocus lineage (MLL). The EU_13_A2 showed differentiation within the group. EU_23_A1 was found mainly in late-season crops. However, the cropping region did not influence the distribution of lineages due to the dispersal of the pathogen in Algeria by seeds. Genetic structure did not reveal a clear variation in distribution of the three lineages throughout the sampling regions. These data provide important new information on the composition and change over time of P. infestans populations in Algeria and open the way for a better understanding of the local epidemiology of this important pathogen.     

Shoot growth,plant tissue elemental composition,and soil salinity following irrigation of alfalfa and tall fescue with high‐sulfate waters 1

Groundwater contaminated with sulfate (SO₄ ^2‐) at concentrations higher than allowable for drinking water might still be usable for irrigation. Objectives were to determine the growth response and mineral uptake of two forage crops irrigated with waters containing SO₄ ^2‐ at concentrations ranging from 175 to 1743 mg/L, and with electrical conductivities (EC) ranging from 1.2 to 3.6 dS/m. Plants were grown for 12 weeks in 8‐L pots containing a calcareous sandy loam and were harvested at 4, 8, or 12 weeks for plant growth measurements and tissue analysis. Digested leaves, stems, and reproductive tissues were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy at each harvest, as were saturated soil paste extracts. Shoot growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was not affected by irrigation water treatment, whereas shoot growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was increased by a moderate level of soil solution SO₄ ^2‐ Sulfur (S), boron (B), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and zinc (Zn) concentrations in shoot tissues of both species showed a tendency to increase with increasing SO₄ ^2‐ content of irrigation water. Shoot tissue concentration of molybdenum (Mo) increased with maturation in both species, while the concentrations of B, potassium (K), manganese (Mn), Na, and Zn decreased. Soil saturated paste extract concentrations of Mg and Na increased with irrigation water Mg and Na concentrations, while Ca and S concentrations in the soil solution became saturated at the higher irrigation water concentrations of these elements.     

Effects of gibberellic acid on ovarian biochemical composition and ecdysteroid amounts in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera,Acrididae)

Migratory locusts represent the most important crop pests in Africa and Asia. Because environmental damages are associated with the use of synthetic insecticides in locust and grasshopper control, new environmentally acceptable approaches are becoming increasingly important. The effects of gibberellic acid (GA₃), a plant growth regulator, was investigated by topical application and ingestion on the reproductive physiology and ecdysteroids production of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria at concentrations of 125, 625, 3125, 4125, 5125 and 6125 μg/mL. The treatment applied to adult females during the pre-ovipositional phase provokes a significant adverse influence on their reproductive potential. Indeed, GA₃ significantly reduced both fecundity and fertility. Gibberellic acid also caused disturbances in the incorporation of the hemolymph metabolites (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) in the oocyte resulting in a significant reduction in their concentrations in the ovaries. Ecdysteroid production was measured by an enzymo-immunoassay. GA₃, administered by ingestion to the adult females, significantly reduced the ecdysteroid titers in ovaries and freshly laid eggs.     

The effect of spinning parameters on mechanical and physical properties of core-spun yarns produced by the three-strand modified method (TSMM)

The effect of spinning parameters on core-spun yarns properties manufactured using three-strand modified method (TSMM) was analyzed. Of the various spinning parameters, strand spacing, yarn linear density and yarn twist have a crucial effect on core-spun yarn properties. To achieve the objectives of this research, general physical properties of core-spun yarns together with existing standards were thoroughly studied. First of all, the strand spacing and yarn linear density were optimized. Afterwards, the effects of variation of yarn twist and sheath roving linear density on core-spun yarns properties were investigated. Finally, the physical and mechanical properties of TSMM yarns were compared with those of siro and conventional ring core-spun yarns counterparts. It was found that, the best strand spacing and yarn linear density to produce core-spun yarns are 8 mm and 45 tex, respectively. Results showed that, tenacity of TSMM yarns increases up to a certain twist level beyond which it reduces. The result confirmed that 45 tex yarns produced by three rovings of the same count are superior with regards to tenacity and hairiness. The optimized yarns produced by three-strand modified method enjoy superior physical and mechanical properties in comparison to the ring and siro core-spun yarns.     

Effects of water deficit on growth,nodulation and physiological and biochemical processes in Medicago sativa-rhizobia symbiotic association

The effects of water deficit on growth, nodulation, and several physiological and biochemical processes in six symbiotic combinations involving three Moroccan alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations (Tafilalet1, Adis-Tata and Demnate2), an American Moapa variety and two rhizobial strains (RhL9 and RhL10) were studied. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings were separately inoculated with the suspension of two rhizobial strains and grown under two irrigation regimes: 80% of field capacity (optimal irrigation) and 40% of field capacity (water deficit). The water stress was applied for five weeks and the agro-physiological and biochemical parameters related to water deficit tolerance were assessed. The results showed that the water deficit had significantly reduced the height of the plants, the dry biomass and nodulation. This constraint also negatively affected the relative water content of leaves, the membrane permeability, the stomatal conductance, the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, the time to reach maximum fluorescence, the total chlorophyll content and the total nitrogen content. Comparison among the tested symbiotic combinations showed that their behaviors were significantly different. Under drought, oasis populations Ad and Ta maintained high PS II efficiency, membrane stability, relative water content, chlorophyll and nitrogen content in comparison to the mountain one Dm2 and the American Moapa variety. These parameters were maintained at adequate levels in the plants inoculated with the rhizobial strain RhL9 that showed a tolerance to water deficit conditions.     

Nephroblastoma in bester sturgeon,a cultured hybrid of Huso huso × Acipenser ruthenus: Diagnostic imaging,clinical and histopathological study

Abdominal distention occurred at an incidence of 1% (15 from 1500 fish) in the population of 1‐year‐old bester (Huso huso × Acipenser ruthenus). Computed tomography (CT) images and radiographs showed a soft tissue mass compressed the posterior part of the swim bladder. Ultrasonography showed that the masses had different patterns. Internal examination revealed the abdominal cavities to be filled with large masses which appeared to encompass most of the visceral organs, including the swim bladder. The masses originated from the posterior kidney. Histologically, the masses were composed of mixtures of embryonal epithelial (tubules and glomeruli), blastema and mesenchymal tissues. The tubules showed cystic, papillary and tubular patterns. Tubules and glomeruloid structures were surrounded by proliferating blastema cells. The primitive mesenchyme was composed of loose streams and whorls of spindle to stellate cells with elongate nuclei. Histological findings in the skeletal muscles, hypoderm and spleen confirmed the metastatic tumour from the kidney in two cases. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells of the tubules and glomeruloid structures were positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Sections stained with Masson's trichrome showed blue staining of the stroma. The histopathologic findings were consistent with nephroblastoma.     

Effects of gabapentin on early postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic surgery for assisted reproductive technologies

Prevention and treatment of postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting continues to be a major challenge in postoperative care. This study was designed to compare the effects of small dose of oral gabapentin with placebo as premedication on early postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic surgery for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Seventy women undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic surgery were randomly assigned to receive oral gabapentin 300 mg or placebo as premedication 1 h before surgery. Patients were anesthetized with the same anesthetic techniques. Duration of anesthesia, severity of postoperative pain and presence of Post Operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) were compared between the study groups. Demographic data and the duration of anesthesia were not statistically different between the study groups. There were significant differences in median VAS scores (25th-75th) measurements at all time points in the study groups (p < 0.05). Ten patients (28%) in control and one patient (0.02%) in gabapentin group required additional IV analgesic that was statistically significant (p = 0.012). Two patients in gabapentin and nine patients in placebo group had nausea (p = 0.022). None of patients in gabapentin but four patients in placebo group had vomiting (p = 0.114). Administration of oral gabapentin 300 mg before ambulatory laparoscopic surgeries, decreased postoperative pain, analgesic requirement and nausea.